USA east | FindPenguins

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Trip start
September 5, 2024
USA east Traveler
NY landing
September 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Day 1, arriving to JFK, heading to Brooklyn, our host Joey is super nice, dinner is kosher, falafel hummus. The streets are just like they were when I was here at age of 18. Peculiar little neighbourhood.Read more
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USA east Traveler
Manhattan
September 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Waking up early, have to get the train to Manhattan, our first visit is to Ellis Island. We grab a peanut butter bagel and have a breakie in Battery park before taking the ferry. The ride is smooth, I am fascinated by an Asian kid, wondering what he's wondering about. The museum is great, very touching, we are able to hear immigrants telling their personal experiences through the headphones, while looking at the black and white pictures. I feel their experience on my skin.
On the way through the Hudson we also wave to the statue of Liberty. Many people there, it's better to be a bit distant from an overwhelming crowd.
From the Battery, 9/11 Memorial is near. We see the survivor tree and the two holes in the ground. The sculptures are great, loving the animal theme tea break. The rest of the afternoon was pretty much a rush through Natural History museum, and Empire State Building. Both awesome, although for the museum one needs at least 5 days. Altogether pretty satisfied by the end of the day.Read more
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USA east Traveler
Sabbath
September 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Grab bagel again and some fruits in Brooklyn deli, then checking out Coney island with the free train replacement bus. The weather is poor, rain and wind, don't fancy swimming this time, however walking barefoot in the sand is delightful. The aquarium is open, we go in, happy to read about the conservation projects they do. Then trip to Manhattan again in the afternoon. It's pouring, but there's a restaurant that rescues is in little Italy. Later go to Broadway Comedy Club for a stand up show for a little extra laugh. We bump into a little fiesta while walking the avenues and streets in the sunset. At the end of the day there's still some time to play boardgames with our host. It's always fun.Read more
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USA east Traveler
All things wild and natural
September 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Breakfast at Joey's, then Harlem gospel is on the menu. Strictly no recordings, everything's on YouTube - they tell us straight on. After the trance we chill out in Central park, finally. Can't help myself, it's my ultimate favourite thing in the urban jungle. We walk the highline in the afternoon, grab a salad in Sweetgreen, take the A Train (manifesting the famous Duke Ellington piece which I've been humming since the first hour), and the evening is time for Minskoff theater where we watch The Lion King. No cheap marketing trap, it's a Truly brilliant performance! We take Zazu with us, Rafiki the baboon is out of reach this time.Read more
Traveler14th Street was my metro station when I lived on Union square
9/22/24Reply
TravelerHah! Such a small rock we live on :)
9/22/24Reply
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USA east Traveler
Further in
September 9, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Breakfast at home again, enjoying some slow morning after running up and down. Checking out prospect park before the leave, play a game of Azul, then walk around union square. A lemonade costs $5, cakes for nonni + vegan lunch tens of times more. Manhattan is as expensive as I thought. We take the bus from Port Authority to reunite with my family in Pennsylvania.
I realised I didn't take pictures today, so here's some left from earlier (including a random graveyard amidst the skyscrapers).Read more
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USA east Traveler
Roots time
September 10, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Without rock and reggae, but still mighty fine. We take it easy, today's for grocery shopping, and settling in at grandma's. Trying out that perfect American lawn. Pretty lush, I have to say, and the wilderness is still close. Already seen a bunny, and later on deers will show up too. Birds are all sorts, different from the ones in Europe.Read more
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USA east Traveler
Wildlands Conservancy South Mountain Pre
September 11, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Wednesday: trekking in Emmaus. Took the Alpine St trail, Trout run trail, Uplands trail and skipped Wilderness trail. Met a few other hikers, one guy on a bike too, and many bird observations, including: Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), grey catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), white breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), blue jay (Cianocitta cristata), belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), fish crow (Corvus ossifragus), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), and lots of Canada geese (Branta canadensis)Read more
TravelerWatch for that one guy on a bike! 😂
9/23/24Reply
Traveler😉
9/27/24Reply
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USA east Traveler
Delaware Water Gap
September 12, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
A day of rowing and enjoying nature. My favourite. From Smithfield beach to Portland, 10 miles. Till Kittitanny point no highway. Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), great egret (Ardea alba), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and Canadian geese are all around among plenty other creatures I haven't observed. The weather is perfection.. Easy to be grateful today.Read more
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USA east Traveler
Niagara Falls
Sep 16–18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Went to see the majestic waterfalls. Still lucky with weather we go on the boat trip, as well as finding a little spot on the goat island where it is possible to go in. We don't swim, but it's nice to feel the power of this river. The "backside" of the city is sad, shops closed down, much poverty. Even the Indians craft fair we miss, although they're supposed to be out everyday. Tuesday was an exception apparently. The visitor center compensated us with some history.

"The Onödowá'ga (Seneca) managed access to the western Great Lakes through their control of the Niagara portage. As Keepers of the Western Door, consultation and official permissions had to come from them before anything could occur in the region."Read more
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USA east Traveler
Emmaus, Museum of Indian Culture
September 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
It was just about time to visit this little treasure hut at the end of this short trip. A great collection of Indian history, very beautiful. No pictures inside.
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Trip end
September 22, 2024