Take the Boat!

Summer is finally coming and what will we do with our time?  I say, take the boat.  If there's one thing that I can say about the United States of America it's that if there's a body of water around, we will put a boat on it.  It could be a river, stream, lake, reservoir, harbor, bay, or ocean.  We love the water, and we can't get enough of it.  I spend a lot of my time going on little boat rides all over the place.  One of the best known boat rides in the country is the Maid of the Mist that goes nearly all the way under Niagara Falls.  The good news about it is that if you get stuck on the Canadian side, You can always take the Hornblower Cruise.

The Hudson River has a ton of cruises.  I've talked about them, and I will probably talk about some more this year.  Between the River Rose and the Hudson River Tours, they can show you a lot of this gorgeous waterway.  You can pick up tours in Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, and Hudson to name a few.

In the center of the country there are some huge rivers and there are boats to ride on them.  You can check pretty much any city along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and find a ride.  Back in the day, riverboats with paddlewheels, shows, and casinos ran all up and down these rivers.  Today, they are still cruising these waters.  Even Nashville has a paddlewheeler for you, and you will love a dinner cruise on the General Jackson.  So, whether you like the north or the south, there are plenty of river cruises for you.

Don't forget the Great Lakes.  These lakes are lined with cities that once thrived on the lakes themselves.  These cities all have boats to ride.  You can hit the major ones all along the way like Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, Milwaukee, and even Buffalo.  The best part about cruising around on the great lakes are the stories.  There is a lot of history along with a great view.  In Chicago they even have an architectural tour on the river.

If you love the coast, you can find hundreds of harbor, bay, islands, and other tours.  They literally have them all over the country from Bar Harbor, ME to Seattle, WA.  They will show you history of all kinds, marine life, ports, island groups, spill sights, fancy houses, skylines, and anything else you wish to see.  Catch one in San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, Miami, Chesapeake Bay Area, Savannah, Newport, and many others.

In some places the boats run tours and are also water taxis.  It's great when you can catch a water taxi or a ferry to get you around.  When on the water, you get photo ops.  That can be a great thing for the tourist or the photographer.

No matter how you look at it, boats are a great way to get a great view.  It's wonderful to maybe have a meal, learn some history, get out in the sun, and see a place from a whole new perspective.  Whether you spend some time on America's favorite boat ride or hundreds of others around the country; take the time to take a ride.  See whales, waterfalls, skyscrapers, islands, canyons, ports, bridges and so much more.  Catch a boat this season, and see what you've been missing.  Enjoy!

http://cruisesonthebay.com/
http://www.viator.com/tours/Nashville/Nashville-Showboat-Lunch-or-Dinner-Cruise/d799-3131SHOWBOAT
http://www.maidofthemist.com/
http://whalewatch.com/information/
http://barharborcruises.com/
http://www.ctriverexpeditions.org/
http://www.hudsoncruises.com/
http://www.mainstreetlakecruises.com/
http://www.belleoflouisville.org/
http://www.stlouistours.net/offer/3854/Gateway-Arch-Dinner-Cruise-in-St-Louis
http://riosanantonio.com/
https://www.hornblower.com/port/category/sd+diningcruises
http://www.savannahriverboat.com/
http://www.spiritcruises.com/chicago
http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/harborcruise.html
http://detroitprincess.com/
http://www.nauticaqueen.com/
https://www.circleline42.com/
http://www.lakepowell.com/things-to-do/boat-tours/
http://www.scenic-cruise.com/
http://www.cruisenewport.com/
http://www.zephyrcove.com/cruises/daytime-scenic-cruises/
http://www.portlandspirit.com/cruises.php
http://www.argosycruises.com/
http://www.soea.com/
http://thimbleislands.com/
http://www.alabamacruises.com/
http://www.twincitiescruises.com/tour-our-fleet/minneapolis-queen
http://www.stlawrencerivercruise.com/
https://www.nywatertaxi.com/
http://www.riverrosecruises.com/
http://essexsteamtrain.com/
https://dollysteamboat.com/
http://www.soolocks.com/
http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
http://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts

It's Spring in New York City! Latest Tips for the City

It's spring in NYC, and that means it's time for some new tips for the traveler.  I love New York and it's close by and one of my favorite cities in the world.  I love hanging out there, even when I don't have a plan, which was the case last week when my husband and I just hopped a train for our anniversary and headed down there.

We started out with lunch in Chinatown.  H.K. Wonton Garden has about a thousand things on their menu, and they're all good.  Little note for Chinatown:  check out Columbus Park in spring to see the wonderful blooming trees.  You can also always hear great Asian music there and if you like you can play Mah Jong.  Remember when in Chinatown, eat on a side street, haggle with the shop keepers, and check out the murals.

Chinatown was heavily damaged during 9/11 and they are still working on their environment down there.  It's taken years, but it looks really good now and the addition of the mural art is great.

Battery Park is already busy this season.  There was already a line for the security booth to go to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  There were already a ton of people at Castle Clinton too.  The newest addition to the waterfront at the Battery was the globe exhibit.  New York has a wonderful arts atmosphere and in the spring, there are always a bunch of new art exhibits in the street.  This is one of this year's additions.  Find out more at knowtomorrow.org.  This exhibit is all about conservation, global responsibility and natural resources.  The globes are cool too.

And then there are the bunnies.  It's called Intrude.  They are currently residing at Brookfield Place, the high end mall in Battery Park City.  I'm not sure about these guys, but there are a lot of them both inside and outside the mall.  They are interesting, so check it out. If you're not into the bunnies, come for the sunset on the waterfront.  It's fabulous.

We stopped by O'Hara's Restaurant and Pub while we were in the neighborhood like we always do.  This is still my favorite place around the World Trade Center to visit.  This is where a lot of rescue workers spent their down time, and the people who visit here get to see a real memorial to the great men and women who did some amazing work during that time.  There are patches and memorabilia from fire and rescue, ambulance, and police organizations from all over the world.  It's very moving, and the restaurant is a great place to eat and hang out as well.

Then there's Citibike.  This is hands down one of the coolest things I've ever done in NYC.  The waterfront is an amazing place to bike. It's $10 a day.  You can't beat it.  I didn't get a chance to do it this time, because of an injury, but I love it and will always recommend it.

I've been to the memorial and found it moving.  I have not been to the museum yet.  This trip we did stop in to see forever at the One World Observatory.  I want to tell you what I saw and what I experienced and what I thought.  I'm sorry if you find my views offensive.

We bought our tickets.  We were guided through a hall where they ran a movie about the building, and showed us an exhibit of rocks that were simulations of the rock under Manhattan, then had a movie about the evolution of Manhattan in the elevator to the top of the building.  When we reached the top of the building there was a show about the building that opened up to a view from the building, but that wasn't the observation deck yet.  We entered another room where they offered to rent us an Ipad so that we could hold it up and have all the landmarks identified for just $15 dollars on top of the $32 that you pay to go up the building.  Then they send you to another place where they insist on taking your picture so they can sell that to you when you come back down.  I don't know the price for that.  Then you follow the yellow brick road some more to a restaurant that is really more like a snack bar and bar.  Then you go down a level, and there may have been many levels; I'm not sure, to the actual observation deck.  There is a souvenir shop there as well.

After you walk on the camera image of the street below, you finally get to see Forever.  And you can.  I saw some of the most amazing scenery from up there and it was beautiful.  Helpful hint: they have two stands that you can stand by and read that do the same thing the the Ipads do.  You don't need to rent one.

You can even see O'Hara's from up there.  Here's the thing.  The tower is a cool tourist attraction.  I have to give that to them.  I was just under the impression that it would be more of a memorial to the buildings that used to be there.  The whole event was a three ring circus and it seemed a little tacky.  Just my impression.  The view is beautiful.  I'm glad that the building is there.  I think that the memorial pools are an amazing testament to all those who lost their lives.  It's just that I expected more class when I visited the observation deck.  I'm glad I went.  However, all things considered, I will probably not go back up there again.  I might, but I doubt it.  You know where I will visit again.  O'Hara's.

If you like tall buildings, come to One WTC for that.  You truly can see forever.  If you come to see it and think that it will be a tribute, not so much.  There's a museum and a memorial for that.  I was just hoping that it would translate to the tower.

At any rate, it's spring in NYC.  It's a great time to visit the city.  By the beginning of May most things will be up and running, and New York is one of the greatest cities in the world.  Enjoy!

http://www.statueoflibertytickets.com/
https://www.newyorktourshuttle.com/
http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.e2a1b26d9be35ff6a62fa24601c789a0/
http://www.newyork.com/tours-attractions/
http://www.nycgo.com/
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https://www.newyorkpass.com/En/?aid=27
http://www.nyctourist.com/
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/new-york-city/attractions
https://oneworldobservatory.com/tickets/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=LM%20-%20Search%20-%20Branded%20-%20National&utm_term=one%20world%20trade%20center&utm_content=One%20World%20%2F%20OWO
http://onewtc.com/
http://www.nyc-arts.org/
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/art
https://www.nyc-arts.org/events/0/intrude
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-cool-globes-exhibit-battery-park-city
http://www.oharaspubnyc.com/
http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/waterfront
http://www.citibikenyc.com/
http://www.tours4fun.com/tours/new-york/visit-chinatown/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=New+York_US_S-LP
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http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
http://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred

Why Not? More Importantly Why Go to Egypt?

When I was a kid, one of my dreams was to go to Egypt and see the pyramids.  Millions of people have had that dream.  Millions of people have lived that dream.  But, times change, governments change, people change, and dreams follow suit.  I changed my dreams about going to Egypt at one point, because of a lot of things.  But, not because I was no longer interested.  There are so many things to see and do in Egypt that I couldn't possibly talk about all of them here.  So, instead of that, I've decided to hit a topic head on.

Tahrir Square is at the heart of Cairo.  It's one of those dreaded traffic circle areas that I personally  hate.  It's been the center of so many things in history, that it's hard to list them all.  At one point there was a Kentucky Fried Chicken joint not far from there.

Unfortunately, in 2011 this square became the center of attention for all media in the world as Egypt had a revolution.  Now, anyone will tell you that a little revolution now and then is a good thing, but that attitude dries up fast when it really happens.  It's over now, but people still remember.  People drive through there every day again, but it sticks in people's minds.  Then you have a Russian plane crash and it gets worse.  Soon, nobody wants to come and see your pyramids because they are afraid that something will happen to them.  It's the way these days.  At the least little thing, people run away.  They're wussies.

Egyptian people suffer from this.  In a country that depends on tourism for so much of its income, this type of event can be catastrophic.  In some parts of Egypt, tourism revenues have been down as much as %95.  That's terrible.  But this is why you should come and visit.

The pyramids are still at Giza.  They've been there for thousands of years, and a little revolution won't get rid of them if WWII didn't.  The great part about coming now is all the personal attention you get.  You can get a great guide easy these days.  The crowds aren't there either.  You can roam around the place unannoyed.  There won't be people clogging up your iconic pictures.  It's time to take advantage of this.

Valley of the Kings, Saqqara, Luxor.  They're all still there, and they are all virtually free of tourists.  This is one of those times to strike while it's hot.  It's almost summer, and the weather will soon be a little unfriendly itself.  Now is the time to go.  I know it sounds crazy to go to one of those middle eastern hot spots, but it's not.  As long as you don't do anything stupid, you'll be fine.  Just don't offend the Egyptians.  Follow their customs and be polite.  They love tourists.  They make a lot of money off of tourism, and they have been hurting for a while.  Bring your money to spend and you will be well taken care of.

Resort hotels are still there.  Nile River Cruises are still there.  The cruises are closing down all over the place which means that it's just another reason to go.  What if no one came, and all the river cruises close down?  What if no one could ever book a Nile River Cruise again?  They need your business.  Go and do.  It's a beautiful country with beautiful people and exotic locations.  It's Egypt.  This place looks like another world.  You don't want to miss out on that because of a little revolution and a plane crash.

Don't give up your dreams of seeing pyramids because of some bad luck on the part of the Egyptian people.  Take the chance to see an amazing place and meet amazing people.  Sure, check the State Department site for potential problems, but do that wherever you go.  Be practical. Check your facts before you go.  Check the Egyptian tourism site to make sure you know how to behave.  Take your shoes off in a mosque.  Don't dress outrageously.  Don't expect everyone to speak English.  Learn the rules, but still go and have a great time.  Don't risk missing a once in a lifetime experience that you've dreamed of since you were a little kid.  Just go.  Go and have an amazing time in an amazing place full of amazing people.  Forget the revolution.  Go and see the pyramids.  Go and help the economy of a great country. Go and see Egypt before the crowds come back.  You'll be glad that you led the way. Enjoy!

http://www.travel2egypt.com/Travel/Egypt/Vacation/Cairo-Nile-Cruises/index.html
http://www.egypt.travel/
http://www.touregypt.net/
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https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred