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USA 2014
  • Trotting the Globe

USA 2014

A 54-day adventure by Trotting the Globe Read more
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  • Trotting the GlobeUSA 2014Traveler

    Concord, Massachusetts

    September 29, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    On the road by 8 and drove for about three hours to Concord. Pretty stressful driving today, through two toll roads and a roundabout to get into the motel. However the leaves were beautiful as we passed through New Hampshire and they are really on the turn now. Stopped at an Outlet Mall in NH - no taxes there. There were lots of bargains but not a lot of luggage space! After checking into the motel we drove into Concord itself. It's a beautiful town with some gorgeous old buildings. The shops seem very upscale for such a small town. Will come back tomorrow and exlore further. We had dinner in an Italian restaurant next to the motel. Not expecting very much in terms of quality of food etc as restaurants next to motels aren't usually very good but it was lovely inside and the food was excellent. Plentiful and tasty - once again we shared the meal!Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeUSA 2014Traveler

    Concord, Massachusetts

    September 30, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Drove into Concord and got a map and information from the Visitors Centre. It was spitting very lightly and we walked around to get our bearings. Went into what looked like a small gift shop called "Nesting" but it turned out to be a few rooms and was one of the nicest stores we've ever seen. Drove to the North Bridge, where the shot that was "heard around theworld " was fired. Saw the Minuteman Statue, which was made by the same person responsible for the statue of Lincoln in the lincoln memorial. Walked up the path to the Visitor Centre in a mansion previously owned by one of the colonists. There was a volunteer at the site who was very informative and interesting. Next stop at the Concord Museum which contains one of Paul Revere's original lanterns. It had excellent displays of period rooms and extensive dislays about Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, who had lived in the area. Next stop Louisa May Alcott's family home, where we did the guided tour. Fascinating - her parents were very progressive and liberal in their attitudes to raising girls. Her sister's bedroom had drawings on the walls, which her parents allowed because they felt it would help her to practise her skills. Drove to Lexington but had trouble finding the township and decided to return to Concord. Unfortunately we ended up taking a couple of wrong turns and ended up back on an Interstate more than once. Very stressful because it was also drizzling by this stage. We finally got back to the motel!! First shot isbthe Minuteman Statue, second an info board about Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote the poem that mentions the shot that was "heard around the world". Third shotnisnthe Alcott House.Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeUSA 2014Traveler

    Salem, Massacusetts

    October 1, 2014 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Waited for the peak hour traffic to ease before leaving Concord to drive to Salem. It drizzled a bit on the way and was a bit steadier by the time we got there but the trip wasn't too stressful. Made our way to the Salem Witch Museum and watched a presentation on the Witch Trials. When we came out it was raining and was too heavy to explore on foot anywhere. We went to the Visitors Centre and watched a movie that explained very well how the women came to be seen as witches and what happened to them. There is a lot to see in Salem but unfortunately the weather was against us and we decided to leave after lunch as the rain was quite heavy and we wanted to take our time. The gps made some mistakes and when we were about one minute away from our destination (or so we thought!!) she took us into the airport carpark and then almost into the city!! Finally got to Hertz and they very kindly drove us to the hotel as it was raining so much. We had intended to walk - anything rather than drive any further!!! A few stiff drinks are called for tonigjt!!! Still, we didn't have one accident, nor did we make the acquaintance of any State
    Trooper, Sherrif or policeman so we did pretty well! We requested a late checkout tomorrow and will probably go into Boston to kill some time as our flight doesn't leave until 11 p.m. Had dinner in the restaurant and a much-needed/appreciated bottle of wine!!    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeUSA 2014Traveler

    Boston, Massachusetts

    October 2, 2014 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Took our time this morning as we have a late checkout. Had a swim and shower before catching the subway into Boston. Walked around central Boston and up to Beacon Hill, past Boston Common. Back to the hotel and the final pack. Then - couldn't find my handbag (again), containing passports, wallet etc. Panic stations!! Ron found it in my suitcase - I had locked it in there at breakfast time to save carrying it to the restaurant for breakfast. Whew!!! Caught the shuttle to Logan Airport and checked our bags through. Almost up to the limit already - we thought it was 30 kg but were told it is only 23!
    Thanks for another great holiday USA. Hope we can do it again sometime not too far away.
    First shot is a house in beautiful Beacon Hill, second is the golden dome of the Massachusetts State House and third is a display of pumpkins for sale for impending Halloween.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeUSA 2014Traveler

    Dubai, UAE

    October 4, 2014 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Not a bad flight - 12 hours and the smoothest landing ever, not even a bump. Very hot - 30+ at 7.30 p.m. Caught a taxi to Raffles Hotel and it was a very impressive sight. Its shaped like a pyramid and the theme throughout the hotel is Egyptian but it's very classy - lots of gold and marble everywhere. You aren't allowed to carry any of your luggage - they insist on taking it for you. Went to the reception desk and, as we have a Club room, we were taken to that level to check in and offered a refreshment. By the time we arrived at the Club level Robinson, the concierge, already knew our names and organised for a glass of Killawarra sparkling to be brought to us. We chatted for a while and then had another glass of sparkling and a bite to eat. It is Eid here now and the Club was open an hour later because they weren't allowed to start serving alcohol until 7 p.m. We were shown to our room and OMG what a room!! The bathroom is marble with a huge bath and separate shower with two different heads, lovely toiletries, candles on the bath and "mood " lighting. The lights, curtains and Do Not Disturb signs are all electronically operated, with controls by the bed. Nespresso coffee machine, several bottles of water (tap water isn't safe to drink) and fresh fruit in the room. There's a spacious balcony with comfy furniture with a great view of part of the city.
    Bed was soooo comfortable and much appreciated when we finally got into it!
    Some shots of our room, from the door looking out the window to the city and looking back into the room from the window.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeUSA 2014Traveler

    Dubai, UAE#1

    October 4, 2014 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Great night's sleep. Put our wet bathers outside before going to breakfast and they were dry when we got back! Had breakfast early and we were only the second people there when we arrived. Amazing buffet with anything you could possibly want and it was all fantastic. Watermelon juice -yay!! Customer service is second to none and all staff we have spoken to love working here. After breakfast we had a look at the pool - it's amazing - huge with a pool bar, whirlpool and lots of lounges. The photos of the pool on their website don't do it justice. The hotel is connected to the Wafi Mall so we're off to do a spot of shopping when it opens.
    More photos of our room, including the bed and bathroom.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeUSA 2014Traveler

    Dubai, UAE#2

    October 4, 2014 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Had a swim before afternoon tea. Missed lunch because of the big breakfast! The pool probably isn't heated but it's a perfect temp because the air temp was 36C. Excellent service yet again - as soon as we found a lounge the lifeguard came and spread out our towels. Then the attendant came with a bottle of water and glasses filled with ice and later another attendant came with cold towels. Still later the pool manager came and asked if we were OK and if he could do anything to assist us. There were very few people in the pool and it was just perfect. Afternoon tea in the Club Lounge after a rest in our room - the food was brought on a three tier stand - sandwiches, scones and cakes and all were delicious. More rest (the plane trip was starting to catch up with us) and a bath before canapes and drinks in the Club Lounge. The housekeeper came for the turndown service, went to get some items for the room and returned with a vase of lilies for me. We noticed that each time we come back into our room the curtains open automatically.
    Drinks and canapes in the Club Lounge. Once again, it wasn't too busy or crowded.

    A few shots of the pool.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeUSA 2014Traveler

    Dubai, UAE

    October 5, 2014 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 32 °C

    Another delicious breakfast then took a car to the Ibn Battuta Mall. It's about a 25 minute drive from the hotel, past Burj Khalifa & Burj Al-Arab. The Mall is designed to reflect the travels of Ibn Battuta and each of the four areas is decorated in the distinct style of that area. The decor is beautiful but the Mall is not as attractive as the Dubai Mall. We stopped off there on our way back to the hotel- BIG mistake. It was Sunday & a holiday for Eid and it seemed that every Emirati family was there!!! Back to the hotel and I had a quick swim before going for drinks in the Lounge.
    Some shots of the hotel foyer. The floral arrangements were huge and all fresh flowers.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeUSA 2014Traveler

    Dubai, UAE

    October 6, 2014 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 32 °C

    Nice relaxing day for our last day here. After a leisurely breakfast, including the best stuffed tomatoes I've ever eaten, we had a swim. Only problem was the loud and raucous behaviour of the boys in the pool. Both the pool manager and the lifeguard apologised for their behaviour and said it was the worst they'd seen. The lifeguard commented that Arab children take no notice of him and he can tell them a thousand times to stop their behaviour and they simply ignore him. He said he can tell his manager, who can remove them from the pool. Yesterday one boy apparently hit his head and ended up with a bleeding nose. When the pool manager told his mother she didn't want to leave her phone and simply said " he will be OK". After our swim we went into the mall next door for a while and then came back for another swim. What a difference a few hours makes!! There were only about five people around the pool and no children at all!!! The manager said the silence was "music for my ears"!! After our swim we came back to the room to change. There was a lovely birthday cake waiting in the room, with a card from the hotel - a lovely touch. We then went to the Salon in the hotel for "The Collection" afternoon tea. What an amazing spread!! This is the third year they have had this afternoon tea, based on fashion collections for the year. The scones were unbelievable, the sandwiches delicious and the cakes - one in the shape of a stiletto, one a hat and another a purse. The coffee and tea were fantastic - such a nice birthday treat. We came back to the room to pack and then went to the Club Lounge for our final drink. We befriended one of the waiters, from Burma, who eventually wants to go to Sydney to work. He was such a delight and I'm sure we will hear from him in future. Went back to our room and, while we were trying to open the door, one of the staff came past and offered to open the door for us, wishing me happy birthday, without any prompting at all.
    This has been a great experience of what exceptional service is all about, from the manager of the Club Lounge, to the pool attendant and housekeepers. Everyone wants to know if you are enjoying your stay and the hotel. They clearly take a pride in their employment here. We will be sad to leave but also glad to get home to our 'regular' life!!    Read more

    Trip end
    October 6, 2014
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