Our week as Shore Crew at Newport Rhode Island

Two weeks after travelling to the Invitational Cup Regatta at Newport Rhode Island and now fully recovered from jetlag I now have time to reflect on why we were a little bit tired from that most exciting week.

On each of the 7 days we would do the shopping for 14 people. Fortunately we only had to cook dinner for 4 nights owing to the social activities put on by the New York Yacht Club. Most days we visited the boat shops for parts. Then each morning we would arise around 6.30 to prepare lunches 18 scrumptious rolls, snacks, sliced fruit, gateraded beverages etc etc and breakfast for everyone. We quickly became most skilled at negoting bulk food prices st the supermarket and finding real, rather than water infused meat for lunches. We became so adept at making bread rolls - that by the time we finished the 130th we reckoned we could take on Subway and win! The surprise tidbits were well received by our hardworking sailors. After transporting them to the jetty to pick up their boat we would to a quick tidy up and rush off to our next job - that of being New Zealand's number one fans! We were most fortunate to be offered spectator positions on some of the New York Yacht Club members' most luxurious vessels to watch the racing. These ranged in size from 70 to over 120 feet in length. A couple which could be better described as little ships had the capacity go to sea for up to 3 months without refueling. The owners were most hospitable and we met some very friendly fellow boating visitors. After the racing we would dash off and go shopping for more supplies then join in the after race activities. These included a magnificent seafood buffet on opening night and on the prize giving night a meal almost to die for, followed by dancing to blues music. However the most memorabale evening was the lobster meal. We all sat down to consume One Whole Lobster each! These are the same size as our New Zealand crayfish so this was an absolute luxury. To ensure our enjoyment we were all issued with a plastic bib, pliers, and instructions on how to eat them. Delicious!

At last the last day dawned and at a very early hour for a Sunday we dragged ourselves out of bed to farewell our sailors, some straight home while others via exotic places like Lea Vegas. After a final tidyup of our lovely
home for the week we strolled through Newport mainstreet before boarding the bus to next adventure. And how did our team go? They got 10th overall - and beat the french! See the Invitational Cup we site for more information.

Would we go back again ? Yes! For more racing and maybe some sightseeing this time........

New York - a Glimpse of a Glimpse...

We have been in New York for 4 days and 5 nights and that is pretty much all that I can say - a Glimpse of a Glimpse! We took 2 bus tours - one uptown and the other downtown but the traffic is so dense at times that the trips are exceedingly long! At least the tour guides are entertaining.

So we have done - the MeT Museum - loved the Afghanastan exhibition - they were part of the Silk Road route and had a blend iof intereting artefacts etc, and a huge quantity or works from the European artists. Saw 2 floors of the Guggenheim centre - but the most intersting place was the Frick Museum - a home of carefully selected items At some stage I will add more about this.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) had a most comprehensive exhibiton of art works from James Ensdor (pardon spelling but it is nearly 1am) - his satire, paintings, sketches and themes were quite something. We have done the State Empire Building the statue of liberty, visited Harlem, Soho, China town, Greenwich town, Tribeca - the list goes on... but they were all just glimpses.

Especially as when we visited these museums it had been raining and I am sure that all of New York travellers from overseas followed us!

Tonight we did a show - West Side Story - a slightly modernised version but beautifully and tastefully done.

We have been so busy that I have done very little shopping, but the shops do stay open late! But not til after 1am, I am sure....

Our glimpse of Art and Culture has just whetted our appetite for more - New York, we will certainly travel to you again!!

Friendly New York

I have to say that we have found the people of New York the most friendly out of all the overseas places we have travelled to in recent years.

The people working in the touristy and transport areas we have visited here, are effeicient, smile and look as if they are enjoying themselves. Even the people the streets are friendly and will stop to see if you need any help.

Why is that? Area they so all the time? Or is it because the recent Labour Weekend Holiday is the 'Last Hurray of Summer?'

While striding most of the way along 5th avenue today I thought about all the different types of people we have met around the world - in the tourism, service industries and in general, around the world.

For example, in St Petersburg the people are efficient - sometimes, but stoic and don't smile. Pushy in the streets, but according to our guide 'they just want to get there'

In Sweden - helpful when they realize you speak English.

Most European places that we visited - no shop service as we know it.

Italy - tending towards arrogance at times.

Spain - don't swagger like the Italians and not so 'full on'

Australia - no shop service as we know it.


Cuba - easy going - helpful when you get to know them

Washington (USA) effecient, friendly, but don't smile - as much as New Yorkers.

As we trundled out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which included a huge display about John Lennon and Yoko Ono, I could understand why John loved New York so much.

It was not just all its numerous nooks and crannies - it was the friendliness of the people!

The Advantages of Having a Personal Travel Agent

I am very fortunate in having my very own personal Travel Agent.

As well as organising some wonderful trips to my dream places, at the lowest prices he also selects accommodation - at the best prices which are romantic, unique, historic and/or famous.

So it was that in Washington we stayed at the Hilton Capitol - just around the corner from the White House. Originally known as the Hilton Statler, it was completed on the 18th of January, 1943, 3 days after the Pentagon.

it was the most modern hotel of the time and included alumunium windows - which were not widely used then. However the owners donated them to the war effort.

Many famous people have passed through the hotel doors over the years.
In 1963 the Deputy Director Bayard Rustin of the Civil Rights movement stayed there before That March and after that famous "I have a Dream" speech.

President Reagan stayed there and Rose Kennedy hosted the Kennedy Foundation's 1st International Awards Banquet at the hotel.

As I write this, we are back in New York. It is a great time to be visiting here, last weekend was Labour Weekend which is the last of summer , so everything is quiet - no queuesor crowds!!! - almost better than a winter holiday because it is warmer. Anyway before I talk about NY I must tell you more about Washington.....