 |
Sarah and I set of for the city that never sleeps, New York.We were ready to visit New York, on several occasions, waiting for the right deal.We got a 3 night trip to New York, flying from Manchester and staying at the Waldorf Astoria. |
| The Waldorf harks back to a different time in history.It was a lot like in the film Titanic, when you see how the people in first class are treated. |  |
 |
The lobby bar/restaurant, is one of the most famous sights in New York.When I visit a City, I normally make a list of all the places I want to see.This was the first trip where one of those places was actually the hotel where I was staying. |
| Our room was very comfortable and stylish.It featured a walk in wardrobe, Stereo television, and broadband (I was able to continue working on my web site whilst there).Our room was cleaned/turned down 3 times each day and was spotlessly clean. |  |
 |
I had forgotten my plug adapter, when I called down for one, it arrived 5 minutes later, and they called again 20 minutes later to confirm I had received it.It lacked Tea and Coffee making facilities, when we asked about these, they seemed astounded that a guest of theirs would choose to make their own coffee.They advised us to call down, and that they would make us a cup of one of the 51 types of Coffee they had. |
| The world famous Chrysler building.At the time it was built, it replaced the Eiffel tower as the largest man made structure on earth.Chrysler accused the Architect Van Allen of taking bribes and refused to pay his fee (this ruined him, and ended his career).Although Chrysler lost control of the building in the 1950’s it still kept its original name. |  |
 |
As we walked through Little Italy and Chinatown on our way to lower Manhattan, we saw this Chinese McDonalds. |
| The Brooklyn Bridge with it Gothic Arches. |  |
 |
During its construction, many people died from the “bends” when they were working bellow the water surface in pressurized chambers. |
| People travelling across from Brooklyn to the island.Brooklyn is the only district of New York that isn’t in Manhattan (when New Yorkers refer to the city, they mean Manhattan Island).It is reckoned that 1 in 7 famous Americans are from Brooklyn (by the people of Brooklyn at least !).There were many people jogging across the bridge. |  |
 |
View from the Bridge, overlooking the financial district . |
| City Hall.The Mayors residence, and the sort of Town Hall of New York.This is where Thomas Jefferson read the declaration of independence. |  |
 |
In the grounds of City Hall, A statue of Nathan Hale.During the war of independence, he volunteered to act as a spy and go behind British lines to report troop movements.He was caught almost immediately and hanged.His famous last words were “my only regret is that have only 1 life to give to my country”. |
| The top of the most famous financial area in the world – Wall Street.Security is very tight, the large rocks on the bottom left of this picture are designed to look like modern art, but are also there to stop suicide bombers from driving vehicles into the the street. |  |
 |
A view down the length of wall street, showing the Trinity Church.I was surprised at just how small, wall street was (it was about 30-40 feet wide) I had imagined somewhere the size of Broadway.It was a Saturday, so none off the money people were around. |
| The rear entrance of the New York stock exchange, the largest stock exchange in the world.Once again, there was perimeter security and an armed guard at all times. |  |
 |
The front of the New York Stock Exchange.The basis of the NYSE was the Buttonwood agreement (so named as it was signed under a buttonwood tree), originally signed by 24 brokers on the 17th of May 1792.The first company listed on the exchange was the Bank of New York (it now has 2,800).It is far and away the largest Stock Exchange in the world, by share value and the 2nd largest by number of companies quoted. |
| The Trump Building (not to be confused with the Trump Tower).When built, was in competition to be the tallest building in the world, with the Chrysler building.In the end, the Chrysler building won, as a 185 foot spire (delivered and assembled in secret) was added to the top.Both buildings were beaten by the empire state building completed 18 months later. |  |
 |
Here the Trump Building is visible from the Brooklyn Bridge.At first I thought it was the Empire State building, which I found out later, is in the completely opposite direction. |
| When we saw this old Pub near wall street, we were thinking of popping in for a drink.This is actually the Fraunces Tavern Museum of revolutionary history.We found out, that during the war of Independence, the Americans fought from Manhattan island when the British arrived in ships, with a force twice the size of the Spanish Armada. |  |
 |
Battery Park.It was a nice park, with lots of harmless street hawkers selling pictures and I Love NY T-shirts and baseball caps.I took the opportunity to get an authentic NY hot dog.In the center of the park, was a memorial to people who died in the Korean War.
It was a clever design featuring a metal obelisk, with a hollow cut out in the shape of a soldier. Its a kind of new angle on unknown soldier memorials, as the sculpture implies, insert any solider here. |
| The statue of Liberty photographed from Battery park.The queue for the boat to Ellis Island where the Statue of Liberty is located, was a quarter of a mile long, even on a work day.Sadly, on short adventure trips like this, there was no time to queue. |  |
 |
I saw this sculpture in Battery park, it had a plaque underneath it, which said:For three decades this sculpture stood in the plaza of the world trade center.Entitled “The Sphere”, it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace.It was damaged during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country.
The Sphere was placed here on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the word trade center. |
| Later we visited the site of the twin towers.On the wall was a timeline showing the events of September the 11th, and a request to keep the site a special place.An orange board carried a message I found hard to forget:
“The draw of New York City has been strong and constant for centuries. People from all over this country and the world have made incredible journeys to come here, to live here, to experience the indescribable force of life that is found around every corner. New York City’s was built on an Island of bedrock, A strong foundation for a soaring city. The World Trade Center attacks exposed the Islands natural bedrock once again, reminding us all of the city’s indestructible core. As New Yorkers already understood and the world would come to realize – the resilience needed to endure was here all along.” |
 |
 |
The viewing platform had gone, and it was difficult to see the site, as work was about to begin on the remembrance tower, the following day.
A view was possible from inside World Financial Center. It was very hard to stand there, and not feel angry. Some people have said its wrong to photograph the area, as its a graveyard. I took this picture because I want to remember. |
| Outside the World Financial Center.
It was a nice day, and people were relaxing, pushing prams reading newspapers etc. |
 |
 |
On the forecourt facing towards the Hudson river, the views were spectacular.
We had coffee, which in New York is always excellent. |
| Inside the World Financial Center they have somehow managed to grow Palm tree’s. |  |
 |
We walked back up through Trebeca and Soho.
Trebeca stands for Triangle beneath the canal, indicating an area on a map of New York. These places had once been run down, but are now, quite trendy shopping areas, with many people living in loft apartments. To illustrate how busy it was, I went into a coffee house. There were 18 people queuing in front of me just to use the toilet. |
| We continued up, and came to the Empire state building.
Despite its age (and that people remember it most from King Kong) its still the tallest brick building in the world. |
 |
Category: Uncategorised
Visit to the Russian Federation and 2 day in St Petersburg (1/2)
 |
With only 2 places left on the bluelist, I was determined to see Moscow and stand in Red Square.Problem was, its expensive and none of my friends fancied going. Adventure Company don’t run trips there, so I signed up with a company called On The Go tours.They didn’t do just a trip to Moscow, it was called the Vodka shot tour, and included 2 days in St Petersburg and an overnight train to Moscow as well as the ubiquitous 2 days in Moscow.Id never been struck by St Petersburg, so looked at the trip there as a bonus.
Here I stand at Eternal flame, on the Fields of Mars. |
| It was Russia after all, and after 90 minutes getting through passport control, where the staff on the gate simply walked away and left us helpless, I realised this was the start of things to come.My bag wasn’t there when I got through, our guide Artem spoke to them. Although they treated us with indifference, the procedure was explained.I had to fill in 2 forms for the administrator (as a matter of routine), once checked I had to fill in 2 forms for the security team (in case my bag had been impounded.Once these forms had been filled in, I was permitted to speak to the lost luggage official, who had 2 further forms for me to fill in.
This process took more than 45 minutes. On one occasion, I had filled in 2 very detailed forms, and a full stop on one, wasn’t duplicated on the other, which they flagged up to my annoyance. After all of this, the lost luggage official had a quick look at the computer and pointed out that my bag was still in Paris. It would be 40 hours before I would be re-united with my bag. Nobody at the airport looked concerned if I ever saw it again, and I believe that without Artem, I wouldn’t have. Never mind, we all leave the airport, jump on a coach, and we are off to our hotel. |
 |
 |
There were some pretty cool people on the trip although I was surprised at just how many there were (I think there were something like 24 all together). |
| We were all taken to a briefing room in the hotel for some advise and also shown loads of optional excursions that we could sign up for.I thought charging admission to the Hermitage was a bit unreasonable on a pre-paid tour, but there was a trip to the Ballet, that was only 40 quid, so these sort of balanced out.Artem took us all to a bar across the road. It was pretty good inside and they had their own micro brewery. |  |
 |
The next day, we are up for breakfast, then jump in the coach for a morning tour of St Petersburg.Several times, our coach was stopped by the police, for a routine inspection of “papers” (basically, they saw it was full of tourists and stopped our driver for a bribe).Artem said simply “The police are not here to help you”.We stop of at St Isaac’s square.
The square features 3 interesting sight’s all in the same square. This statue of Tsar Nicholas I has pictures on the pedestal, said to be of his wife and daughters. It also has scenes from his life (2 of the scenes show suppression of rebellions). |
| St Isaac’s Cathedral.Thousands of wooden piles were sunk into the marshy ground to act as foundations for the building.St Petersburg suffers sever flooding, and although beautiful to look at, you have to wonder why it was built there (its said after only 3 months of construction, everything Tsar Peter had built was washed away, but he carried on regardless).During the soviet era, the Cathedral was designated as a museum and is still technically one now. |  |
 |
The Astoria hotel.American write John Ree author of the famous eyewitness account of the revolution Ten Days that Shook the World, was staying here when the Bolsheviks seized power.Hitler had famously arranged a banquet here to celebrate his conquest of the city. A victory, which never came.Whilst I found some of the Russians I met (most of them in fact) to be obnoxious and offensive, there was little doubt that they were a proud people.
Artem talked proudly about the siege of Leningrad and the courage of the ordinary people who had stood against the Nazis. |
| Artem was very modern and enthusiastic. Standing in the square he gives an impromptu talk on Modern Russia.The trip was a real whirlwind, and I don’t think I ever got to thank him for his enthusiasm throughout the week. |  |
 |
St Nicholas Cathedral.Founded by Sailors and Admiralty employees, it took its name after the patron saint of Sailors where it later became know as the “Sailors church”.The 4 tiered bell tower opposite has an unusual folklore tale attached.Its said that a local man, climbed to the top, to fix it, and was awarded a certificate of free beer for life.
He repeatedly (and quite understandably) lost the certificate many times, and in the end, the award was tattooed onto his neck. Today, if a St Petersburg ‘er is in the mood for drinking and offered one, they will sometimes point at their neck, in the place where the free beer tattoo was located. |
| The old war dog of the soviet Union.No, not the people in the picture, they were a really nice couple from London (The chap on the left acted as camera man for my Red Square podcast).The ubiquitous Lada. Simple DIY mechanics and un-pretentious functionality have made this the international symbol of Russia and a success all over the the world (it is the only car brand, to exist on every continent).In line with its un-pretentiousness, Lada UK, sponsor Aldershot football team. |  |
 |
Field of Mars, a swamp which was drained, and used for practicing military manoeuvres takes its name from Mars, the Roman god of war.The Eternal flame nearby (built in 1957) commemorates the victims of the Revolution and the Civil war.I was awed by how seriously the Russians treated the passing of their war dead.Whatever criticism could be laid at the Russian people, a lack of appreciation of the sacrifice of others in war, isn’t one of them. |
| We stop of at Vasilevskiy Island.The famous Rostral columns were originally designed for use as light houses (they are 32m high).The ridiculous looking boat features, are inspired from Italy, where it was common to decorate castles and the like with the remnants of defeated ships. |  |
 |
As we drive around, we park up to take some pictures, and across the waterways is the impressive image of the Hermitage. |
| Millionaires street, takes its name from the expensive properties located on it.The house at no 12 Millionaires street, witnessed the end of the Romanov dynasty.It was here that Grand Duke Mikhail Aleksandrovich, Nicholas II’s brother, signed the decree of abdication in March 1917. |  |
 |
Alexander Column in palace square built to commemorate victory over Napoleonic France.It was, rather ironically, created by Auguste de Montferrand,the same architect who built St Isaac’s Cathedral, who was French.The column itself is made from a single piece of granite, 83 feet long. |
| Palace square taken from the Winter palace.The scene of massive protests during the 1991 Coup.General staff building, the headquarters for the Russian army. Carlo Rossi demolished an entire row of houses to build it.It was near here, that I went into a bank to change some money.
The 3 security guards there, though heavily armed, were quite friendly. I asked one of them where the money exchange was, as he turned around to speak to me, I had a scorpion machine pistol pointed at my face. It was good natured, and he gestured with the automatic weapon, towards the exchange. Not an every day occurrence in my life. |
 |
 |
The Hermitage. Incorporating the breathtaking staterooms of the Winter Palace, the world famous Hermitage holds nearly three million exhibits ranging from fine arts to archaeological finds.As we enter the Hermitage, we climb Rastrelli’s masterly staircase and are met with this scene at the top.The overall splendour of the building of almost impossible to capture. |
| This was one of the many state rooms in the Palace, it actually featured solid gold paint throughout.Our guide Tanya mentioned that a popular dish cooked for visitors was bears paw.It sounded horrendous to me.When you imagine that the Royal family lived like this and millions of people were freezing and starving, its not hard to see why there was a revolution. |  |
 |
Only officially registered guides are allowed to give tours of the Hermitage.Tanya, the operations manager of our tour company had taken up the reigns from Artem.This famous peacock clock was designed and built by the London jewell’er and goldsmith James Cox.His fertile imagination generated ideas that were then turned into reality by the craftsmen and mechanics of his company.
Its the largest automaton clock of its kind in the world, and features 4 mechanisms. 3 animate the birds and animals, and the 4th actually keeps the time. It works like this: 1. At the end of each hour the owl begins working. Its cage rotates, little bells ring, the owl turns its head to right and left, blinking its eyes and tapping its right foot. The cage makes twelve rotations and stops. 2. Roughly ninety seconds after the owl starts moving its mechanism starts up the peacock. It spreads its tail, stretches its neck, turns and throws back its head, opening its beak. When its tail is fully spread, the bird freezes for a second. Then it smoothly turns its tail to the viewers, again freezes for a moment, returns to its starting position, folds its tail and lowers its head. 3. At the end of its cycle the peacock mechanism starts the cockerel. After shaking its head several times, it crows. It was a gift from Grigori Alexandrovich Potemkin (secretly her husband) to Catherine the Great. |
| Another of the elaborate rooms in the palace.I’ve seen some pretty amazing things while I’ve been travelling, but I have really never seen a palace as elaborate as this, it was astounding.It must have also taken hundreds or thousands of people to maintain it.The palace even had its own theatre, but it was closed when we arrived. |  |
 |
Other parts of the Hermitage, are museums of various kinds.Here in the classical arts section, is one of 2 pictures painted by Leonardo Divinci, The Litta Madonna. |
| The Royal family, even had their own ancient Egypt museum. |  |
 |
In the contemporary arts section, was Ea Haere Ia Oe (where are you going), painted by Paul Gauguin. |
Meet an old friend from Brussels, a wandering “Fin” and visit Athens, the birthplace of democracy (1/2).
 |
An old friend from the Firkin, Paul Nightingale moved away to Brussels with his job (I dont mean he put it under his arm and took it with him, he was asked to relocate by his employer !).
We usually meet up to visit different places in Europe. Last year we went to Krakow, this time it was the birthplace of Democracy – Athens. A picture of me standing in front of the Parthenon. |
| It wasn’t possible to get a direct flight from Liverpool or Manchester, so I flew via Heathrow, and had the pleasure of BA.
The problem with this, was that door to door, the journey took 12 hours, a lot longer than your normal Easyjet/Europ weekend combination. The good news was that being BA, the flight and hospitality made for a much more pleasant trip. I got to the airport and decided to get a taxi (its not smart to wander around a country you have just arrived in, when its dark). I arrived at our budget hotel, and was delighted to find the proprietor, very friendly, and my room spotlessly clean. |
 |
 |
I met up with Paul, and we decided to go out for the evening and unwind, with a quick pint, to “take the edge of us”.
A Polish bar right near the hotel was atmospheric and efficiently run, so we got settled there. Paul introduced me to his friend Mia from Finland, a charming girl, who like me has a written down list of countries she wants to visit. |
| In the Polish bar, I meet a Pole, wearing a Man City shirt.
My brother and my friend Frank are big fans of City’s so I couldn’t resist a picture. I find Poles amazing people. Although immensely hard working and friendly, they don’t seem smile very often. On the way home, we stopped of for a Kebab, and then got an early night in advance of the following days adventuring. |
 |
 |
The following morning, we get up early for breakfast. There is nothing worse than leaving breakfast, getting out and about in a city, being struck by hunger pangs and then eating rubbish at the nearest restaurant.
Far better, to fill up early, and then plan for a 2pm stop off for lunch, at a recommended eatery, which is usually cheaper and much better. We pass the Kerameikos, the classical cemetery of Athens with its symbol, a marble bull. |
|
It was amazing to walk around the Agora, it was just like any ordinary relaxing park, but had artefacts going back thousands of years, all around it.
This is me standing next to Tholos the site of the 50 member executive committee of the first parliament. |
 |
 |
The temple of Hephaestus.
It is said that Athenian pillars have had the greatest architectural influence in history. |
| At the back, showing the insides of the temple of Hephaestus.
The area was cordoned of, so you couldn’t walk around in there. |
 |
 |
Walking around the monument of the eponymous heroes.
Not much remains, but originally, Citizens were divided into 10 tribes, each represented by a different Atican hero. |
| Drains aren’t something I would normally go out of my way to see, but there are some of the first man made drains, ever created.
When there is a sever downpour in the park, they still actually work, and clear the excess water, thousand of years after they were created. |
 |
 |
The Odeon of Agrippa.
Built in the 1st Century as a theatre, it was destroyed in 267 by the Herulians. In the 5th Century a sprawling palace was built, and the pillars formed a spectacular entrance. |
| Standing outside the Agora museum. The outside pillared wall, made for a superb photo opportunity, in the way that it “led the eye”
Unfortunately, several attempts at using the timer on my camera failed, and we eventually relied on a passing tourist to take this picture. |
 |
 |
We visited several museums, throughout the week
This museum, featured only artefacts that had been removed from the Agora. |
| There were some pretty innovative things on display.
This stone, had special runs, so balls could be inserted, and they would randomly select Athenian citizens for Jury service. |
 |
 |
The Panathenaic way, leads form the gate of the Agora, to the Acropolis above.
It was used centuries ago for processions, to honor the worthy. |
| The Christian Saint, Paul used to pray on a rock high above Athens.
These century old steps led to the spot. |
 |
 |
Me sitting on Paul’s prayer spot, high above Athens.
Many Christians make a pilgrimage to this rock. It certainly has spectacular views of the city. |
| We went for the usual trick, of choosing somewhere to eat, based on the number of local people that were already eating there.
We weren’t disappointed. I don’t think I have ever eaten so much superb grilled meat in a single weekend. |
 |
 |
|
| We head up to the Acropolis.
This is the Propylaea which only Athenian citizens were allowed to work through, to enter the Acropolis. |
 |
 |
A better picture of the Parthenon, without me standing in front of it. |
| The calf bearer, one of the famous symbols of Athens (and one of the few interesting things worth looking at in the museum).
Created in 570 BC. |
 |
 |
The pine-covered slopes of Filopappos Hill, seen from the top of the Acropolis.
It was pretty cold at the top, you can probably guess this from the expression of my 2 photographic subjects. |
| To the left of the Acropolis, is the Temple of Athena Nike.
Her, our home grown Athena, the wandering Fin, gets there first. |
 |
Visit to the famous Amster Damm (where it gets its name). No weed, and a sickeningly authentic steak house.
 |
Back in the days before Liverpool Airport was done up. (ie, When you could get a cheap pint before your flight, and something non-pretentious to eat !) I set off, with Easyjet, to visit Amsterdam.I’d visited Amsterdam for an afternoon while interailing some years before, but never “overnighted” there.I had heard lots of things about Amsterdam ( The usual “bike shed” conversations about prostitution and the “how hard am I” nonsense about weed) mostly that it was very modern and laid back. |
| I visited the famous port, where Amsterdam gets its name.There was a really interesting ship museum.I really loved wandering around, and all the people I met were friendly. |  |
 |
I found details of an historic Pub Crawl.It visited 10 famous old pubs all over Amsterdam, so provided a good frameworkfor a tour of the city.This was a famous pub called the Apothokarie. In times past, the local Dr, would set up practice in an Ale house.
The reasoning being that people would come to the pub, straight after work, and that they could gain healthcare as well as Ale from one source !. |
| I saw all of the usual sights, including the famous skinny bridge.Built by 2 sisters, who lived on different sides of the River, it enabled them to visit each other. |  |
 |
I used to wear my hair short then, Lionel from the White Lion, used to cut it with clippers.Before going home, I visited a steak house, recommended in the rough guide.On the backs of the benches, were the hides of the animals which were being eaten, which created a slightly uneasy feeling.Went home the next day, will definitely go again. |