Left Lancaster - not a place I have any desire to visit again. The hotel was ordinary and the food was shocking. Pleased to be on the way to Washington.
Arrived reasonably late at the Four Seasons. First reaction to our fabulous room was 'sssh, don't make a noise or they may realise they gave us the wrong room'. Fabulous opulence for a change. Did a quick change and then met Vega and Angela for dinner. Very nice to catch up with some locals and had a very pleasant dinner with good company in George Town. Next day was off on a city tour of the monuments etc. The Americans really do statues and monuments well. Abe Lincoln in stunning, pity the reflection pool is undergoing refurbishment and just a hole in the ground. Got a brief glimpse of the south side of the White House and the Kennedy graves at Arlington.
The afternoon was spen in the 'Mall' a hufe 6 miles of museums and galleries. I overloaded very quickly and sat on a bench and waited for Al to do his thing (had a bad leg day). It was stinking hot and humid and swarming with school children. Not much fun at all.
After dinner we did a night time tour of the monuments. That was a waste of time, most weren't lit up and we didn't even get a glimpse of the White House!
Sorry to see the end of Washington, some more time would have been nice but maybe next time...
Map of Itinerary
Trip Itinerary
Friday, 27 May 2011
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Niagra Falls to Lancaster
Bit of a sleep in and then headed off to Niagra Falls around 9.30. Stopped at Niagra on the Lake for lunch, its one of those quaint little villages with lots of gift stores. Grandbaby scored again! Absolutely lovely spot. Followed this with a quick run into Niagra Falls and the Maid of the Mist cruise. Lots of mist as it was raining. The Falls are unbelievable and thoroughly enjoyed getting wet and miserable at them.
Went to our hotel, the Hilton for a change, and what a difference, spa bath, seperate shower, big bed and views right at the falls. This is what we had been expecting all the way and have been bitterly disappointed in the Fairmonts. The Falls put on a light and firworks show after dinner and we just managed to stay awake for that.
Didn't want to get up this morning, 10 days of a rotten headache (how Nic puts up with it is beyond me) and today Alan's germs finally got me. Feeling like death warmed up but no time to stay in bed as we are off to the US of A.
Border crossing was no fuss and breezed thru and have spent the day on the bus. Nice countryside but becomes boring after a while, watched the movie Witness so we could get into the Amish mood as we are going there for dinner tonight and visiting a farm tomorrow.
The bus stops every couple of hours for comfort stops and always at a eatery and this afternoon it was at a lolly shop. Brought my peanut brittle and scampered out before I was tempted to get more and once on the bus all the women were asking if I found the baby store at the back of th shop as apparently they had great stuff there and now that everyone knows I'm about to be a grandmother all the other grannies keep finding things for me to buy. anyway bub missed out at this stop.
Arrived at hotel and had to get ready for the Amish dinner. I opted to go to bed and Alan went to the dinner. In typical style he turned off the computer on his return without checking if the blog was saved and lost all the info. Believe he enjoyed the dinnerit but he can't be bothered writing about it in the blog and I couldn't be bothered retyping everything and the photos won't load so that will have to wait for another day.
Went to our hotel, the Hilton for a change, and what a difference, spa bath, seperate shower, big bed and views right at the falls. This is what we had been expecting all the way and have been bitterly disappointed in the Fairmonts. The Falls put on a light and firworks show after dinner and we just managed to stay awake for that.
Didn't want to get up this morning, 10 days of a rotten headache (how Nic puts up with it is beyond me) and today Alan's germs finally got me. Feeling like death warmed up but no time to stay in bed as we are off to the US of A.
Border crossing was no fuss and breezed thru and have spent the day on the bus. Nice countryside but becomes boring after a while, watched the movie Witness so we could get into the Amish mood as we are going there for dinner tonight and visiting a farm tomorrow.
The bus stops every couple of hours for comfort stops and always at a eatery and this afternoon it was at a lolly shop. Brought my peanut brittle and scampered out before I was tempted to get more and once on the bus all the women were asking if I found the baby store at the back of th shop as apparently they had great stuff there and now that everyone knows I'm about to be a grandmother all the other grannies keep finding things for me to buy. anyway bub missed out at this stop.
Arrived at hotel and had to get ready for the Amish dinner. I opted to go to bed and Alan went to the dinner. In typical style he turned off the computer on his return without checking if the blog was saved and lost all the info. Believe he enjoyed the dinnerit but he can't be bothered writing about it in the blog and I couldn't be bothered retyping everything and the photos won't load so that will have to wait for another day.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Toronto
Another overcast day but with signs of sunshine to come and at least 15 degrees so warming up.
An early start was needed today but we were delayed by 2 of our ladies being stuck in a lift for 1 1/2 hrs. The Fairmonts are all very old and doddery so not surprised by the lifts stopping.
Finally on our way to the Thousand Islands for a cruise. There are actually 1800 islands and the Canada/US border runs through the waterways. This is where the salad dressing was invented. Photo of little white bridge is the smallest international bridge, island with house is in Canada, little island is USA. This area is the summer playground for seriously rich people. The islands average around $10m but photo of little shack on a rock sold for $50,000 (rock not shack). The castle was for filthy rich Mr Hart who built for his wife, she died before completion - estimated 4m cost way back in thre 20s. The land alone is now worth $20m let alone the castles. It was a very pretty spot with the mist rising from the waters.
Back on the bus and a run thru to the big apple - thats a large apple statue not New York. Mind you I didn't think it was so big, think Aust takes the lead on everything big like Merino, banana etc. Anyway big apple's claim to fame is apple pies but you had to buy a whole pie so left that one alone. They did have a couple of dreadlocked llamas/alpacas who looked most unhappy. Had an argument with one lady on the bus who insisted that only the males spit and only when courting a female. Set her straight!!
From there into Toronto. A very large sprawling city. Lots of pretty bits but really could be a large city anywhere in the western world. Went for a walk up the street to find dinner, Alan actually had dinner last night so hopefully on the mend now.
Today was a trip up the CN tower - didn't listen nor look as it was too high, too fast a lift ride and not good with heights. View from top OK but trip down was even worse than trip up.
This afternoon half the group including Alan has gone to a Baseball game. I got to go find a laundry and do the last load of washing for this trip. Not sure why Alan gets to enjoy himself whilst I stuck getting taxis to not so nice areas to do my washing. Todays laundry didn't even have a seat so had to lean on washing machine and dryer till done. Not impressed!
Now home updating the log and waiting for Alan to get back to download photos and update on his day. He is now home and had a good time, the Blue Jays won and he got photo of winning run.
Today is our last free internet day so not sure when we will be logged on again. The weather has changed - 2 days ago it was 5 degrees with a wind chill of what felt like -30, 15 yesterday and today it reached 32!
An early start was needed today but we were delayed by 2 of our ladies being stuck in a lift for 1 1/2 hrs. The Fairmonts are all very old and doddery so not surprised by the lifts stopping.
Finally on our way to the Thousand Islands for a cruise. There are actually 1800 islands and the Canada/US border runs through the waterways. This is where the salad dressing was invented. Photo of little white bridge is the smallest international bridge, island with house is in Canada, little island is USA. This area is the summer playground for seriously rich people. The islands average around $10m but photo of little shack on a rock sold for $50,000 (rock not shack). The castle was for filthy rich Mr Hart who built for his wife, she died before completion - estimated 4m cost way back in thre 20s. The land alone is now worth $20m let alone the castles. It was a very pretty spot with the mist rising from the waters.
Back on the bus and a run thru to the big apple - thats a large apple statue not New York. Mind you I didn't think it was so big, think Aust takes the lead on everything big like Merino, banana etc. Anyway big apple's claim to fame is apple pies but you had to buy a whole pie so left that one alone. They did have a couple of dreadlocked llamas/alpacas who looked most unhappy. Had an argument with one lady on the bus who insisted that only the males spit and only when courting a female. Set her straight!!
From there into Toronto. A very large sprawling city. Lots of pretty bits but really could be a large city anywhere in the western world. Went for a walk up the street to find dinner, Alan actually had dinner last night so hopefully on the mend now.
Today was a trip up the CN tower - didn't listen nor look as it was too high, too fast a lift ride and not good with heights. View from top OK but trip down was even worse than trip up.
This afternoon half the group including Alan has gone to a Baseball game. I got to go find a laundry and do the last load of washing for this trip. Not sure why Alan gets to enjoy himself whilst I stuck getting taxis to not so nice areas to do my washing. Todays laundry didn't even have a seat so had to lean on washing machine and dryer till done. Not impressed!
Now home updating the log and waiting for Alan to get back to download photos and update on his day. He is now home and had a good time, the Blue Jays won and he got photo of winning run.
Today is our last free internet day so not sure when we will be logged on again. The weather has changed - 2 days ago it was 5 degrees with a wind chill of what felt like -30, 15 yesterday and today it reached 32!
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Ottawa
We are staying at the Chateau Laurier (photo 16) another Fiarmont hotel but this one has the biggest room so far. Dinner in the ballroom last night was very nice, set menu not a buffet for a change. Alan still in bed sick so he missed dinner.
Raining again this morning but the temp about 14 so a much nicer day and no wind. Went on a sight seeing trip to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police facility and stables which was very interesting and then did a tour of the city. Ottawa is another beautiful city, being the capital its very well planned, lots of water, green spaces, gardens and reminds me very much of Canberra only greener and prettier Some magnificant buildings especially the parliamentary ones (photos12, 13 14, 15). Another city we wished we had more time to explore.
Alan went back to bed after the trip and the bus dropped rest of us off at the markets. After a brief walk around I came back to the hotel as my head was thumping again. The sun is now shining and will attempt to go for another walk and find some dinner, Alan electing to stay in bed again.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Quebec
Up at a reasonable hour for a change, restrained ourselves at breakfast as we have lunch and dinner on todays schedule. Still raining so happy to sit on bus for the day.
Stopped at the Sugar Shack for an early lunch.Sugar Shacks are what they call the maple farms and processing plants. Had an interesting 'authentic' canadian lunch of pea soup with bacon rinds, maple cured ham, baked beans, chips, beetroot,omelete, meatpie followed by pancakes with maple syrup and taffy. A bit overwhelming really but they had entertainment in the form of a woman singing and we all played the spoons or the canadian equivalent which look like wooden tongs and make a fabulous noise, Alan had a great time with them and now new granddaughter has her very own noise makers.
On the road again and we stopped at a river at Saint Anne de la Perade which freezes in winter (as does everything in east Canada) and they do ice fishing. Fascinating process as they dig a hole thru 1mtr of ice, move a little timber shed onto the ice over the hole and fish in comfort. The sheds have a floor, a wood heater and all the comforts of home. The ultimate winter man shed! This particular river has become so popular that 13,000 people came last winter and they now run electricity to the sheds and have toilets so it becomes I little village on the ice. Before the thaw all the sheds are towed back home for the summer.
Weather absolutely foul. Picked up a local guide for Quebec (pronounced with the K sound not Qu)
and after the first time of trouping us off the bus to look at some statue and view that could not be seen thru the sleet, realised it was better to just point things out from the bus as we were frozen solid. Amazingly temps her are -35 to -40 in winter and up to 38 in summer. Just about every house has a pool, suppose they use it as an icerink in the winter.
Had dinner in the Chateau Fontenac (our hotel)(second photo), it was a buffet but the lamb and beef just melted in your mouth. The chef kindly gave me all the cruchy bits so I was in 7th heaven. Finally got some decent red meat.
Only 5 degrees today and rain stopped but the wind is unbelievably cold. Went for a walk this morning and 1/2 hr was all I could stand even all rugged up. Alan's cold has returned with a vengence and he has wisely decided to stay in bed all day.
I braved the cold again to go on our scheduled cruise on the /St Lawrence seaway - expecting to get very seasick as the wind was whipping up huge waves. Thankfully the boat was very stable but the view not that good due to overcast conditions and spray. I wasn't dedicated enough with the camera to venture outside. Now back in the room and think I may do a bit of reading and hopefully the weather will clear a bit later to today and I can go find somewhere for dinner.
Stopped at the Sugar Shack for an early lunch.Sugar Shacks are what they call the maple farms and processing plants. Had an interesting 'authentic' canadian lunch of pea soup with bacon rinds, maple cured ham, baked beans, chips, beetroot,omelete, meatpie followed by pancakes with maple syrup and taffy. A bit overwhelming really but they had entertainment in the form of a woman singing and we all played the spoons or the canadian equivalent which look like wooden tongs and make a fabulous noise, Alan had a great time with them and now new granddaughter has her very own noise makers.
On the road again and we stopped at a river at Saint Anne de la Perade which freezes in winter (as does everything in east Canada) and they do ice fishing. Fascinating process as they dig a hole thru 1mtr of ice, move a little timber shed onto the ice over the hole and fish in comfort. The sheds have a floor, a wood heater and all the comforts of home. The ultimate winter man shed! This particular river has become so popular that 13,000 people came last winter and they now run electricity to the sheds and have toilets so it becomes I little village on the ice. Before the thaw all the sheds are towed back home for the summer.
Weather absolutely foul. Picked up a local guide for Quebec (pronounced with the K sound not Qu)
and after the first time of trouping us off the bus to look at some statue and view that could not be seen thru the sleet, realised it was better to just point things out from the bus as we were frozen solid. Amazingly temps her are -35 to -40 in winter and up to 38 in summer. Just about every house has a pool, suppose they use it as an icerink in the winter.
Had dinner in the Chateau Fontenac (our hotel)(second photo), it was a buffet but the lamb and beef just melted in your mouth. The chef kindly gave me all the cruchy bits so I was in 7th heaven. Finally got some decent red meat.
Only 5 degrees today and rain stopped but the wind is unbelievably cold. Went for a walk this morning and 1/2 hr was all I could stand even all rugged up. Alan's cold has returned with a vengence and he has wisely decided to stay in bed all day.
I braved the cold again to go on our scheduled cruise on the /St Lawrence seaway - expecting to get very seasick as the wind was whipping up huge waves. Thankfully the boat was very stable but the view not that good due to overcast conditions and spray. I wasn't dedicated enough with the camera to venture outside. Now back in the room and think I may do a bit of reading and hopefully the weather will clear a bit later to today and I can go find somewhere for dinner.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Montreal
What a schmozzle getting here! Disembarked ship at 0800, sat at airport till 1350 for flight to Vancouver, arrived Vancouver and it all fell apart. Luggage wasn't booked thru, had to clear customs again in peak hour, then immigration with no staff and sprint from one side of airport to the other to get flight that they were holding for us. Finally got to hotel about 2am and waited another hr to get luggage. Nobody happy!
Unfortunately we got the better deal, some of the group had to fly via Chicago, where they were delayed by storms, overnighted in the airport and arrived mid afternoon today. Boy are scenic getting an earful from that lot. General opinion of all on our tour is we have not had value for money or the service we paid for.
Anyway had to be up by 8 and breakfasted as we had a morning tour booked (nobody happy about that either). Raining since we arrived and cold and windy, what with being tired and grumpy really not a happy group of tourists this morning. The tour turned out to be good and we are all wishing that we had more time in Montreal to explore. Notre Dame Bascilica is magnificent and old Montreal was just begging to be explored, Definitely need more than one day and I'm sure the place would be beautiful in the sunshine.
Free afternoon so have done the underground shopping malls due to the wet weather but needed to come back to hotel for a little rest before dinner. God help Scenic if they put on another uninspiring, cold, mediocre buffet, I'm sure there will be a riot!. Unfortunately our tour guide is moments away from a mutiny.
Off to Quebec tomorrow.
Unfortunately we got the better deal, some of the group had to fly via Chicago, where they were delayed by storms, overnighted in the airport and arrived mid afternoon today. Boy are scenic getting an earful from that lot. General opinion of all on our tour is we have not had value for money or the service we paid for.
Anyway had to be up by 8 and breakfasted as we had a morning tour booked (nobody happy about that either). Raining since we arrived and cold and windy, what with being tired and grumpy really not a happy group of tourists this morning. The tour turned out to be good and we are all wishing that we had more time in Montreal to explore. Notre Dame Bascilica is magnificent and old Montreal was just begging to be explored, Definitely need more than one day and I'm sure the place would be beautiful in the sunshine.
Free afternoon so have done the underground shopping malls due to the wet weather but needed to come back to hotel for a little rest before dinner. God help Scenic if they put on another uninspiring, cold, mediocre buffet, I'm sure there will be a riot!. Unfortunately our tour guide is moments away from a mutiny.
Off to Quebec tomorrow.
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