Xmas & NYE in USA

December 2018 - January 2019
NYC, Home for the Holidays, Tokyo Stopover Read more

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December 16, 2018
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Day 1
Sunday, December 16, 2018
🌧 4 °C
Altitude: 57 m
United States Manhattan Church of the Nazarene 40.755723, -73.98487740°45’21” N 73°59’6” W
A Very Long December 16th 2018
December 16, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 4 °C
We departed Sydney at 9:15am 16th Dec 2018, arrived in Tokyo after a 10.75 hour flight at 5pm 16th Dec 2018. After a 12.75 hour flight to NYC, we arrived at 6:10pm 16th Dec 2018. We were nearly tricked into paying $137+tax+tolls+tip with a dodgy driver pretending to be a taxi/unmarked Uber. Happy to say we escaped and paid a real taxi $75 inclusive to get to our hotel safely. We ate dinner at the restaurant in our hotel and turned in for the night.Read more
TravelerWelcome to America! 😘
12/17/18Reply
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Day 2
Monday, December 17, 2018
⛅ 7 °C
Altitude: 44 m
United States WQXR-FM (New York)40.748451, -73.98559640°44’54” N 73°59’8” W
Day 1 NYC
December 17, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
Probably hard to call it Day 1.. more like 0.5 as we set the alarm for 8am but didn’t drag ourselves out of bed until nearly 6am Sydney time.. (2pm NYC). We went straight to Times Square, where I must admit I was a little disappointed. I didn’t even know what to take a picture of because nothing was that cool. Also, not impressed with the smell of the streets or the subway. I’ve smelt loads of different smells today and none of them were a Sweet Pea Candle like scent. We looked a couple of Macy’s windows and made our way back to the hotel for Mike to make a work call. We are Chipotle for dinner (again disappointing). Our nighttime activity was exploring the Empire State Building! We went to floors 80, 86, and 102. We came, we saw, we froze. Great view though. $1 oysters for dinner and Dunkin Donuts for dessert. Yum.Read more
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Day 3
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
☀️ 1 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Statue of Liberty 40.688821, -74.04450440°41’20” N 74°2’40” W
So much green.
December 18, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 1 °C
Today we had booked to go to Liberty Island to see Lady Liberty but unfortunately we missed our train to the ferry terminal which resulted in missing our ferry time. We decided to head down to the terminal anyway. Leaving the train station we got sucked in to taking a harbor cruise out to Liberty Island and past Ellis Island. Our commentator was great and we enjoyed hearing facts about NYC. I personally liked being warm inside the boat. After our tour, we took the ferry to Brooklyn and ate pizza at Grimaldi’s. We stopped for a quick photo of the Empire State Building and headed back to Manhattan. The evening was filled with music at Gershwin Theatre where we saw Wicked. Amazing! Before calling it a night, we had endless salad at Olive Garden and did some late night shopping in Times Square.Read more
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Day 4
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
☀️ 2 °C
Altitude: 56 m
United States Grand Street Market 40.752788, -73.97722140°45’10” N 73°58’38” W
Icons.
December 19, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C
Once again we got out of bed after noon. We ate “breakfast” and headed to Rockefeller Centre. We snapped a few photos of the famous tree, ice rink, and fountain. We did some shopping at the LEGO store, Nintendo store, and the NHL shop. We walked down to Grand Central Station and oh my it was grand! Beautiful, massive building. We tried to watch the hockey game at the Australian but they didn’t get NBC Sports. We ended up 2 doors down at an Irish Pub called Blaggard’s where we got to watch the Pens beat the Caps and Ovi display some poor sportsmanship. We took advantage of the free drinks at the hotel bar and ordered pizza to the room. The pizza was ginormous and we ate less than half.... Friday morning as I write this, the room stinks of pizza.Read more
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Day 5
Thursday, December 20, 2018
⛅ 5 °C
Altitude: 32 m
United States The Meatpacking District 40.735124, -74.00671840°44’6” N 74°0’24” W
4 bottles of wine.
December 20, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
Again, got out of bed in the afternoon. We had a stroll around the block to the Flatiron Building. Then we met a friend living in NYC from Oz for dinner at Aria West Village. We had 2 bottles of red at dinner, went to another restaurant for another red, and found a late night bar with another red, Nutella toast, and gelato. Best night in NYC. Happy Birthday Mum!Read more
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Day 6
Friday, December 21, 2018
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 46 m
United States Federal Hall National Memorial 40.706906, -74.01125640°42’25” N 74°0’41” W
FiDi. (Financial District)
December 21, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
After another long sleep in, we headed to the Financial District to see the NY Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull, Fearless Girl, and Wall Street. Then we crashed an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party for Mike’s NY office. I had to wear the Christmas gift I bought for my brother as it was all I had to wear.Read more
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Day 7
Saturday, December 22, 2018
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: 26 m
United States Bethesda Fountain 40.774723, -73.97120340°46’29” N 73°58’16” W
Last day in NYC
December 22, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
We actually got up early and headed to Central Park for a Horse and Carriage ride. Our driver only could give us facts based on movies but that was cool. We also saw some of the most expensive real estate in the world. After our carriage ride, we took two trains and an hour later we arrived at what would have taken 20 minutes to walk to get to Ess-a-bagel. The line was wrapped around the block. Needless to say, I didn’t get to bring the dozen home to Pittsburgh that I planned. We hobbled back to the hotel, packed our bags, then headed to the airport. We flew in a tiny 18 row plane to Pittsburgh where we were greeted by my wonderful family! Dinner at Burgh’s and Penguins on TV on arrival with a 3-0 shutout for
Murray.Read more
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Day 8
Sunday, December 23, 2018
☀️ 4 °C
Altitude: 263 m
United States Mellon Square Park 40.438197, -79.99782540°26’18” N 79°59’52” W
Holiday Train Party
December 23, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 4 °C
After a nice sleep in, I went to the mall to find Mike a Christmas present. Before I knew it, friends started showing up for our annual train party. So good to see everyone!
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Day 9
Monday, December 24, 2018
☁️ 1 °C
Altitude: 279 m
United States Carnegie Library of Allegheny 40.439139, -79.99834240°26’21” N 79°59’54” W
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
A full day of preparation and family dinner to celebrate Christmas. 🎄
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Day 10
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
⛅ 0 °C
Altitude: 232 m
United States Pittsburgh Downtown Branch Library 40.440423, -79.9999540°26’26” N 79°59’60” W
Christmas Day
December 25, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C
We opened the rest of our presents and did nothing! It was great. Tom and Tom also teamed up on Pittsburgh-opoly that I was gifted for Christmas making it impossible for a single person to win.
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Day 11
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
⛅ 0 °C
Altitude: 878 m
United States Beck Springs 40.045177, -79.25898240°2’43” N 79°15’32” W
Hidden Valley
December 26, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C
We got up and got organised and traveled to friends house at Hidden Valley Ski Resort. We got a drink or two at the Clocktower Restaurant and spend the evening together eating lasagne, watching Jeopardy, playing cards, and watching a Christmas movie I fell asleep during. Mike also got to see some PA snow!Read more
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Day 12
Thursday, December 27, 2018
⛅ 7 °C
Altitude: 222 m
United States Arlington 40.428233, -79.96524940°25’42” N 79°57’55” W
Good eats and drinks.
December 27, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
On the way back to Pittsburgh we stopped for lunch at 7Springs to grab lunch with my college bestie Manda and her babies. Before the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, we had a Bier at the Hofbräuhaus.
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Day 13
Friday, December 28, 2018
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 271 m
United States Pennsylvania Culinary Institute Library 40.442822, -79.99959640°26’34” N 79°59’59” W
Santa! I know him!
December 28, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
We got up “early” to go shopping down at the outlets. I got a Michael Kors purse and wallet for the price of the wallet +$2!! What!! And Coach shoes for 70% off!! We rushed back to the house to change and headed to Station Square for dinner at the Grand Concourse. Great venue. After dinner we attended Elf the Musical at Heinz Hall. My expectations were too high but it was definitely entertaining! Following the musical, we met up with Pittsburgh local friends and went to not just one, not two, but three Christmas bars in downtown.Read more
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Day 14
Saturday, December 29, 2018
☁️ 1 °C
Altitude: 224 m
United States Arlington 40.424667, -79.95961840°25’29” N 79°57’35” W
True Tourists.
December 29, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
We had some family friends come visit from out of town and then Mike and I met up with one of the guys from last night for a tour of the Pittsburgh Steelers HQ. We saw the locker room, gym, 6 Lombardi trophies, and met Jordan Berry. For dinner, a high school friend visited, we ate crab legs, and of course watched the Pens game! Yummo!Read more
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Day 15
Sunday, December 30, 2018
☁️ 2 °C
Altitude: 219 m
United States Heinz Field 40.446747, -80.01575540°26’48” N 80°0’57” W
Here we go.
December 30, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
Mike got up early to go suit shopping and I slept in until noon. Then we packed for the lake and headed to the Steeler game. Gosh my toes froze. The Steelers pulled ahead with a field goal with two minutes left in the game for a come from behind 16-13 victory. Once the game ended, they put the Browns v Baltimore game on the big screen for the final two minutes. The Browns were down by a lot of points but had brought it up to 24-26 with possession. Steelers needed a Browns win to make the playoffs but despite Heinz Field also cheering for the Browns (for probably the first time ever), they couldn’t quite pull it off, ending the season for the Steelers. It was very very exciting thought and it felt like we were going to clinch a playoff spot. Oh well. Next season. Afterwards we had some Taco Bell as we drove to the lake.Read more
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Day 16
Monday, December 31, 2018
🌧 2 °C
Altitude: 320 m
United States Conneaut Lake 41.622859, -80.30515141°37’22” N 80°18’19” W
New Years Eve
December 31, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 2 °C
Happy NYE! We had bacon for breakfast and then a family friend took us out to the sportsman’s club. We got to shoot a muzzle loader, so basically a musket they used in the civil war. It was cool and I shot better than all the boys. 😜 I was less than an inch from the bullseye at 25m and less than 3 inches from the bullseye at 50m. Due to the gun powder nature of the gun, it sometimes don’t go off due to the humidity. Our session ended early when we distracted our friend resulting in him forgetting to put the gun powder in the barrel before the bullet. We had some friends over for dinner and watched Hawaii 5-0 on Netflix until midnight. Hugs and kisses and off to bed.Read more
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Day 17
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 19 m
United States Baltimore Civil War Museum 39.283322, -76.60226439°16’60” N 76°36’8” W
NYD
January 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
After 5.5 hours of driving, forgetting Mike’s crutches, and lunch at Bob Evan’s, we arrived in Baltimore. We put our bags in the hotel and had a nap. Dinner was at Roy’s which is ranked the #36 of 1,946 restaurants in Baltimore. It was delicious! We came back to the hotel, had some drinks at the bar, and turned in for the night.Read more
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Day 18
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
☁️ 6 °C
Altitude: 8 m
United States Inner Harbor 39.284369, -76.60700739°17’4” N 76°36’25” W
Baltimore
January 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C
We got up early for breakfast and headed to the aquarium. It was awesome! We learned so many fascinating things about the octopus, saw tamarins and a sloth, Mike felt a jellyfish, and we watched a dolphin show. For lunch we are in Fell’s Point at a place called Thames Street Oyster House, Rankes #4 in Baltimore. After a nap, we had dinner at LP Steamers, ranked #20. Seven of us split about 30 crabs. We had to learn how to open them and getting the meat turned out to be quite a bit of a challenge and also messy; fun though! We watched some of the Pens game at the hotel and headed in for the night. Needless to say, we had heaps of yummy seafood that we came for.Read more
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Day 19
Thursday, January 3, 2019
☁️ 1 °C
Altitude: 327 m
United States Mount Lebanon 40.357052, -80.05279540°21’25” N 80°3’10” W
Driving, sleeping, and eating.
January 3, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
We drove back to Pittsburgh from Baltimore after breakfast and had a slice of Beto’s pizza for lunch. Beto’s has a special pizza that you can’t get anywhere else. The way they make their pizza is by cooking the base with the red sauce and then putting it in the oven. After removing it from the oven is when the toppings get placed on top, including the cheese. For dinner we had $5 drinks and $5 delicious ahi at Houlihan’s. ..then the packing began!Read more
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Day 20
Friday, January 4, 2019
☀️ 2 °C
Altitude: 254 m
United States Beth Hamedrash Hagodol and Beth Jacob Congregation Synagogue 40.439596, -79.9893340°26’23” N 79°59’22” W
It's a hockey night in Pittsburgh.
January 4, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C
Our last day in PA was spent at a delicious Koren BBQ place with heaps of sushi. We packed a bit more and did little bits and pieces around the house before heading to the Pens game. We were so lucky to get the seats we did. It was so excited and we won 4-0. Great end to the US portion of our trip!Read more
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Day 21
Saturday, January 5, 2019
☀️ 7 °C
Altitude: 355 m
United States Pittsburgh International Airport 40.495956, -80.25575140°29’45” N 80°15’21” W
All day on the plane.
January 5, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C
We caught a plane from PIT at 8:15am 5th Jan to Chicago, changed over and flew to Tokyo arriving at 3pm on 6th Jan.
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Day 22
Sunday, January 6, 2019
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: 39 m
Japan Yochōmachi 35.697936, 139.712135°41’53” N 139°42’44” E
Robot Restaurant
January 6, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
We arrived to Tokyo at 3pm. It was pretty hard to navigate to our hotel as streets didn’t seem to have names, or maybe we just couldn’t tell because we can’t read or speak Japanese. After dropping our stuff off at the hotel, Nogha Hotel Ueno (would def recommend) we got organised and went to our Robot Restaurant reservation. We didn’t book the food, just the show option. It was weird. We made our way back to Ueno and stopped at a 24 hour restaurant for some dinner... YUM!Read more
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Day 23
Monday, January 7, 2019
☀️ 10 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Japan Ueno 35.713342, 139.77618235°42’48” N 139°46’34” E
Ueno, Tokyo Markets
January 7, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
After dragging myself out of bed at 11am and checking out of the hotel, we explored the nearby markets in Ueno. We saw some really cool stalls, ate some fruit, bought some souvenirs, went to an Udon shop for lunch, and had to start our way back to the airport. We didn’t get to check out the park nearby or see the famous crossing in Shibuya but next time! At the airport we had access to Sakura Lounge where we had one more “real” Japanese. Looking forward to returning to Japan for more Japanese food. The people were all so lovely and polite!Read more
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Trip end
January 7, 2019