Destinations

Kiev

Posted on August 13, 2011 by JimG

IMG_3534Kiev or Kyiv, is the birthplace of Russia.  Legend has it that three Slavic Brothers and their sister founded this city 1500 years ago.  It has played part in many empires and many rulers.  My first impression of Kiev during my landing was that it was a city surrounded by natural beauty and fertile farmlands.  Once in the city, it was clear that time had left its marks – the prosperous times and not so prosperous times and more recently the soviet influences.

I have read that Kiev may be the next Prague of Europe – time will tell if Kiev will reach that but one thing is clear, there is a lot of building and development going on.  Currently the city is preparing for the Soccer championships that will take place in 2012

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En Route

Posted on August 12, 2011 by JimG

August 11 and 12, 2011

I got up and packed my things and then went for my last walk through Chelsea.  It was the perfect summer day, not too hot, not too humid and a nice breeze blowing.  While growing up in the Northeast, we dreamed of these days while we froze through the winter or melted in the humidity.  When there are so few of them, you really appreciate them.

I was not going to leave NYC with having a slice of pizza.  I picked up a couple and them for lunch and it was time for the car to pick us up and head out to JFK. Having earned Gold Star Alliance status does have it perks – checking and boarding was quick and easy. Continue reading →

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NYC

Posted on August 11, 2011 by JimG

IMG_3479_edited-1August 8, 9, 10, 11

On my way to the Ukraine, I stopped in NYC.  Every time I visit I do so with mixed emotions.  Part of me wanted to live in NYC and a lot of my friends from college did, but Los Angeles won out, and part of me wonders about that path not taken. As I walk around, I wonder if I ran into someone I knew from high school or college would I even recognize them?  They probably have kids that are as old as I was when I first visited New York City.  A generation has passed and the days of clubbing, staying out until the early hours of the morning had passed.  This trip I was looking forward to indulging my latest passion – food. Continue reading →

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The Ukraine

Posted on August 9, 2011 by JimG

0002I am heading to the Ukraine, to take a cruise down the Dnieper river on a Viking River cruise called the Footsteps of the Cossacks.  The cruise will start in Kiev (Kyev) and end in Odessa.

I chose this destination because I have already visited the Baltic states and Russia. Areas that have fascinating histories and borders that seem to continually change.  Although Kiev is considered the birthplace of Russia, Ukraine will turn 20 on August 24th, 2011 right after I leave.

I also wanted to see if Chicken Kiev is the same in Kiev as it is here in the states.  I must admit that I have taken a liking to Eastern European/Russian cuisine, but then again, there are not too many cuisines I don’t like or don’t like learning about.

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Singapore – August 7

Posted on August 7, 2011 by JimG

IMG_1441August 7th, 2010

All good things must come to an end and today I leave Singapore.  Given the opportunity, I could see myself living there for a few years.  It is hot but great place with many cultures.  The people that I worked with were wonderful and I am glad I got to work with them.  At lunch the introduced me to all sorts of food.  Foo-Leong helped me go down the list of Singapore favorites and I tried hard to try every one of them.  The team including Calvin, Bin and Veron, were very nice and very talented.

Although I am leaving, I am doing so in style.  The world needs to take lessons from Singapore airlines.  Left is a picture of the food section in their business class lounge.  Compare that to the cheese and crackers that United Airlines offers.  Not quite the same experience.

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Singapore – August 6th – The Singapore Zoo

Posted on August 6, 2011 by JimG

IMG_1309August  6th, 21010

I went to the Singapore Zoo.  I had doubts if I was going to enjoy it, Zoos can be very iffy.  This was the best Zoo I have been too.  A huge collection of animals that you could get pretty close to.  It was also interactive, you could feed a lot of the animals at certain times.  I think the Orangutan was my favorite.  At the end of the feeding the refused to go away, the zookeepers kept pushing them to go back to their house and they just sat there posing for pictures and waiting for more food.  The last one wasn’t going to leave until it got a carrot.

 

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Singapore – August 5th – The Singapore Flyer

Posted on August 5, 2011 by JimG

August 5th, 2011

I took the Singapore Flyer.  These are the views from the Singapore Flyer.

 

 

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Singapore – August 5th

Posted on August 5, 2011 by JimG
The old Hill St. Police station
Cathay Movie Theater
Singapore Art Museum

August 5th, 2010

Another day out and about in Singapore.  I took a bus, a boat and went on the Singapore Flyer which is similar to the London Eye but 5 meters higher. I saw the Cathay movie theater and learned it was the first air conditioned movie theater in Singapore.  It is now celebrating its 75th birthday.  The old Hill St. police station was Singapore’s first jail.  During the Japanese occupation, they used to house prisoners.

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Singapore – August 4th – Sentosa Island

Posted on August 4, 2011 by JimG

IMG_1088August 4th, 2010 – Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is an island just off the south side of Singapore.  Although it is advertised as Asia’s favorite resort getaway, I wasn’t too impressed.  It isn’t a single park, it is a collection of parks and attractions – each with its own entry fee.  A significant amount of the park was under renovation or still being built.  There is a Universal Studios Park, which of course, I wasn’t interested in so there were only a few things to see and to. I saw the butterfly park and insect kingdom, Fort Siloso and the Sky Tower.   I then headed over to the area where they had pink dolphins and an underwater adventure.

I was going to feed the birds until this one boy who had about five birds on him announced he needed a tissue – he got pooped on.  I was wearing a white shirt and thought I would simply admire the birds without touching them. Continue reading →

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Austrian Lakes and Mountains

Posted on June 12, 2011 by JimG

IMG_3258June 9th, 2011

I am really debating with myself whether I like Salzburg the best because of Salzburg or because I have more time to take it all in and really enjoy Salzburg.  Either way, I am really enjoying Salzburg.  I have been lucky with weather the entire trip, although it was overcast and cloudy today, it didn’t rain.

This morning started with me just walking around.  I stumbled on to Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart’s Birthplace) where Mozart spent the first 17 years of his life.  There is also a Mozart Residence where he lived later on in life but I haven’t found it yet.

In just about every gift shop, there is something Mozart and/or something Sound of Music.  Mozart Chocolates, and Mozart Fragrance (for men and women) sit in between displays of yodeling teddy bears, Bavarian style of hats, mustards and cuckoo clocks .

Having had Bavarian food for the last few days, I decided to have lunch at a McCafe when I saw the gold arches tucked into a classic sign.Surprisingly, the menu is very different, no Big Mac, no Quarter Pounder and in addition to indoor seating, they had “Garden” seating – an outside courtyard where they sold the local beer called Steigl.

I headed back to the other side of the river to get my afternoon tour that I booked, “Austrian Lakes and Mountains” where we would see Lake Fuschl – St.Wolfgang – St. Gilgen – Krottensee – Mondsee.

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