Tripping in the USA
I've travelled to the USA more than a dozen times and I don't always
go where others go... I've driven from Detroit to NYC... toured
Ohio, touched the SR71.. enoyed Chicago, with front row seats at a
Cubbies game, and the CES shows. Watched the world's best ice hockey
players in L.A. Got off the beaten track in San Francisco many
times. Chartered a helicopter and cruised from SF to LA buzzing the
coast and inland areas, what a rush.
Traveled through Geogia and enjoyed the Atlanta of Margaret
Mitchell.. Had such a good time in Atlantic City that I never did
find Philadelphia! Around 35th street in Manhattan is my go-to place
and know a lot of the secrets of the island... but having said all
that, the best memories are in my head but I'll share a few here.
Flying out of Australia takes a bit of effort, so I always opt for a
stopover in Hawaii.
Once you've re-set your internal clock it's on to the U.S. mainland.
I've included some images of...
Hawaii,
San Francisco,
Massachusetts,
New York City and
Las Vegas.
I recommend staying a few nights at the Aqua Waikiki Tides Hotel
(415 Nahua Street). Moderate hotel for those keeping their
spending money for the US mainland. Hotel chains do change the
name of hotels so note the address and search for this hotel.
Great location, no ocean views but great price and a 3 minute walk
to the beach. It has a sports bar downstairs and the International
Markets across the street.
San Francisco has a long wrap-around wharf and you can begin at the
Historical Ferry Terminal building (where you catch the ferry to
Oakland). Then walk right around the piers to those VERY touristy
ones!
Pier 39 is a huge tourist trap but it's nice to see in the sun on
those freezing cold, fog filled summer days.
Yep, summer days are very cold in SF. It's actually warmer there in
winter! Go figure.
It was time to walk all over San Francisco and check out the sights.
A cross-country flight into JFK.
Next stop Massachusetts... to eat clams and crabs.
It's June, it's summer, it's 50 Degrees F [10C] that's cold!
Armed with map and GPS it was time to hit the freeways and head for the tunnels, although entering Manhattan on a Sunday afternoon is hell with all the day trippers coming in as well.
A crumbling dream in the desert with the Casino architecture
mimicking the worlds heritage with the Paris, New York, Luxor all
the famous names along "Strip" trying to outdo each other your
dollar.
What made me sad...
Biggest change I noticed is that Las Vegas is so dirty now with
litter in the streets and gutters and worse, the 'flicker' men - or
pimps as they really are. They hand out cards for prostitutes
although the graphic cards say the 'girls want to meet you and be
your friend'.... lucky me huh?
The major Casino's try to move these sleasebags along but they
flourish and touch you with their cards and flick them to attract
you. Tourists take the offered cards and then drop them immediately
in the streets so the ground is littered with thousands of girlie
cards - try explaining those photos to your kids.
So how do you visit Las Vegas and beat the system?
The big-name hotels are rubbish these days, and I've stayed in quite
a few of them and notice that as the dollars are drying up.. so is
the service. Staff are just plain rude and demanding more tips for
less and less service. The booking arrangements are often con-jobs
too. You arrive to read the small print 'room booked may not be
available'... but miraculously a better room is available IF you PAY
MORE! Buyer beware.
Top Tip! Don't stay on Las Vegas Blvd. - commonly know as The Strip.
Stay in old Las Vegas known as "Downtown" or Fremont Street.
Down there the Hotel Casino's are way better priced, staff seem to
enjoy their work, their pokies and tables pay better odds and the
drinks are much much cheaper.
The link is
Main Street Station Casino, Brewery & Hotel.
If you're just into grabbing a beer and want to keep walking, that's
OK too. Everyone drinks in the street and if you're staying around
Fremont Street, the Main Street Station Casino runs a shuttle
service up to the Strip or you can buy a 24 hour bus pass on the
Deuce double decker bus.
With the Pass you can get on or off as you please, so you can stay
for cheap in Old Las Vegas and visit the sleaze pits as you please.
Some random photos.... Some Casino's are trying to imitate classical
art...
Each of these links open webages where I share my some of my travels.