This is not a page on islands or beaches. So it seems out of place in a blog on islands and beaches. But here's the thing. I'm writing this as an almost 75yo with several life-threatening problems. Maybe I'll soon be reassigned to the permanent past. If so, perhaps this page will act as a memento to members of my family. In the meantime I'm getting a bit of a kick out of writing it - all the stuff I have to remember, the re-reading of trip diaries, the checking of web-sites to see details forgotten+distances between major destinations etc. One thing's for sure - now I don't frequent the travel forums, there are few readers from those sites who might take offence at a page which strays from this blog's original purpose.
WHY A PACKAGE BUS TRIP??
Above is MAIN ST WATKINS GLEN, a small touristy town on the shores of LAKE SENECA, one of north NY STATE's finger lakes. I'd read about this town as a kid - didn't ever think I'd spend time in it.
TRIP ROUTE
Total distance 1250miles/ 2200km without any of the usual backing and shuffling.
DAY 1 - O700 - CHINATOWN NYC.
LILLIAN was a marvel - she could juggle finances, bookings, give extensive introductions at each stop in both CHINESE and ENGLISH, field calls from head office and chase after recalcitrant passengers who didn't seem to think it important to show up at the bus on time after a free-time period.
Passengers about 60% Chinese, 30% Indian and 10% Caucasian. I was the only Anglo, the rest were Russian.
Early start needed because it is over 400mi/640km to NIAGARA where we need to arrive mid-afternoon to take in some of the sights.
CAVEAT ON COSTS - the initial online ask is astonishingly low, but you will end up spending more. For a start, everyone paid a compulsory staff tip. Then there are all the CALL-INS - want to check out the SECRET CAVES? Pay more. Visit WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK? Pay more......yada. Some of these call-ins are very good, some cost little extra. Some are expensive, some underwhelming. MY TIP - study the online "brochure" to see what the extras are and go to review sites such as TRIPADVISOR to find what others are saying. Then decide what you will include or give a miss. In the latter category I decided to give the 3rd day motel breakfast a miss, ditto the luncheon buffet that day. I paid for all the others - the only one which left me less than gruntled was the first day's HIDDEN CAVERNS thingo.
Also be aware that some of these call-ins are SEASONAL - some passengers at WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK were asking "WHEN DO WE VISIT THE CORNING GLASS FACTORY?" LILLIAN pointed out this was a winter activity when the fabulous STATE PARK is closed because the river in the gorge often freezes.
Could you do the tour without the add-ons (apart from the compulsory tip - and if travelling solo, the single supplement)? Sure - some passengers were doing just that. I'm a bit surprised that I (a world-class cheapskate) wasn't - fact is some of the add-ons were very good; others suggested cheesiness (eg the IMAX theater at NIAGARA) but were not expensive and turned out way better than I estimated.
Driver EDDAR a fiery little Latino was a bit of a hard case. But he was a good safe driver, got us thru some horrendous traffic in the DC - BALTIMORE - PHILLY - NJ - NYC urban corridor on typical 12+ hour days. He was constantly fielding calls from head office wanting him to take extra tours, despite the fact that his log-book would be maxxed-out after our trip.
I was so impressed with EDDAR and LILLIAN's work effort that despite coming from the land of fair wages and no tips (what's the difference between an Aussie and a canoe? - Canoes sometimes tip) and despite a compulsory staff tip included in the tariff, I slipped them a few extra dollars at the end of the trip.
DAY I - abt 1200 -SECRET CAVERNS/HOWE'S CAVE upstate NY
DAY 1 - ABT 1530 - BEST WESTERN HOTEL NIAGARA FALLS
....the AMERICAN FALLS VIEWING AREA in the NIAGARA FALLS STATE PARK
That's AMERICAN FALLS closest camera, smaller BRIDAL VEIL FALLS part behind/above and a section of HORSESHOE (CANADIAN) FALLS in background.
Notice the highrises of CANADA's version of NIAGARA FALLS town, which is an even bigger deal tourist-wise than the US side. People say the viewpoints, accommodation and food are better on the Canadian side - I was determined to confirm this in 2019. Unfortunately lack of time forced me to cancel NIAGARA in 2019.
These falls kinda blew me away. I've seen higher, but as they say, it's the VOLUME of water going over here which is outstanding.
DO YOUR RESEARCH!!
The island has several viewpoints - ones which allow a different perspective of all 3 falls.
We would be down there next morning.
OVERVIEW OF FALLS AREA
DAY 1 1930 - DINNER AND FALLS BY FLOODLIGHT
After some time back at the hotel to shower etc, LILLIAN took us to an area near the AMERICAN FALLS OVERVIEW with lots of eating options, told us we also should not miss the falls by night and asked us to be in the lobby next morning at 0600.
THE REST OF THE NIGHT - after checking this area I wandered back to the hotel, used the gym and pool and then hit the sack. But in retrospect I wasted much of the night - not having to be on deck until 0600 next morning, I could have spent a few hours wandering over to the CANADIAN side and checking the scene. My only excuse in not being prepared to fully use this spare time is I was unaware such periods existed on our schedule and thought TAKE TOURS would have every second filled - which they certainly did next day.
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DAY 2 - 0620 - WHIRLPOOL STATE PARK
There are restrooms, picnic tables, a historic display (closed this early) and a chance to take a path down by the river if you have time. We didn't....
....moving on after 30 minutes to FORT NIAGARA
I enjoyed the visit to FORT NIAGARA, considering it well worth while the modest extra charge.
So did the other passengers - I think no-one opted out of this one.
If any did, they had 90 odd minutes to grab breakfast in the nearby township.
EARLY DAY 2 LOCATIONS
NIAGARA ADVENTURE THEATER
By this stage it was past 0900, so we retraced our steps to the FALLS VIEWING AREA where things were beginning to open.
NIAGARA HIGHLIGHT - "MAID OF THE MIST' CRUISE BENEATH THE FALLS
Above is one of the boats behind our's. Can't remember if this was when we were coming back (the dock is close to that high structure at left) or leaving.
CROWS NEST PATH
crowds.
NIAGARA FALLS OBSERVATION DECK
BRIDGE TO CANADA
DAY 2 - ABT 1330 - WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK
We departed NIAGARA abt 1030 and cruised thru the rather nice upstate NY countryside to WATKINGS GLEN alongside SENECA FINGER LAKE. Lovely country, scenic lake, and lotsa WINERIES if you are traveling by car or on a bus trip with more time to spare.
I knew this town from reading about its motor racing circuit in my youth, but a study of the trip itinerary made clear we were going nowhere near that. Instead our destination was the STATE PARK - I didn't hold any great hopes but the extra charge was very modest and so I went for it. This was one of those places turned out way better than expected.
There were several fast food outlets in close vicinity.
Our bus was waiting in the lot across the main road, so we jumped on board and headed for the DC area. This was quite a trip - nearly 300miles/480km and taking over 5 hours. Fortunately it was through some gorgeous countryside - at one stage we were progressing along a river valley in rural PENNSYLVANIA so attractive it was hard to believe that some of these rural PENNSLYVANIAN areas are among the least prosperous economically in the nation.
REFLECTIONS ON WATKINS GLEN - I was so impressed I made plans for a 2019 return a bit earlier in the year, stay in the camping area in my tent for a few nights and really explore the area well. But research showed poor public transport from NYC which would have forced me to rent a car - I no longer rent cars where they drive on the wrong side of the road. So scratch WATKINS GLEN for 2019 - replace with MARTHAS VINEYARD.
DAY 2 ABT 1930 - ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET - SOMEWHERE IN MARYLAND.
2000 SECOND DAY - RED ROOF INN, LAUREL, MARYLAND
So like the previous night I had a spacious room all to myself, with the usual inclusions EXCEPT AGAIN no in-room coffee making, This was available in the lobby 24/7.
For the record I thought the previous night's BEST WESTERN another step up, but RED ROOF was pretty good.
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DAY 3 ABT 0800 WHITE HOUSE, NATIONAL MALL
LILLIAN did her usual Chinese/English run-down of things in the area (including some food trucks near the bus - we left RED ROOF before breakfast but I was still full from the HIBACHI BUFFET and made do with a free coffee + choc bar from the lobby vending machine.) Then she told us to be back at the bus in 60 minutes.
THE VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL
With less than an hour after I finished with the LINCOLN MEMORIAL, I figured I only had time to do the VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL and had to give the nearby KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL the miss. No worries, I got there one year later. I chose the VIETNAM MEMORIAL because it was much more pertinent to my generation: I missed the lucky-dip Oz call-up but many of my mates went. Some did not return.
DAY 3 - ABT 1200 - THE MUSEUM PRECINCT
EDDAR relocated us to outside the AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM on the side of the NATIONAL MALL abt half way between THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT and THE CAPITOL. There LILLIAN gave a bilingual run-down of the many SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS in this area (they are all excellent and FREE - do your research to see what floats yer boat), gave some recommendations and said she would see us back at the bus in 90 minutes.
DILEMMA - I desperately wanted to see THE SUPREME COURT (there have been some very big cases there over the years and there was one of note on at that time) and also THE AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM on account I've been an airplane nerd all my life. Could I do both in 90 minutes?
SUPREME COURT - ABT 1225
ABT 1250 - AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM
....WHICH I DID! (see down page).
There was a lot of unfinished business in DC so I made a point of penciling in 4 days here in SEPT 2019, staying in the HOSTELING INTERNATIONAL joint, a rather good place only a few blocks north of THE WHITE HOUSE.
SOMEONE IS MISSING! On return to the bus it became apparent we were short 2 couples. After 20 minutes of frantic phone calls LILLIAN became aware they had decided to take a room and explore unseen things next day.
Which is fine, except they didn't inform LILLIAN beforehand. Which cost us 20 minutes in a tight schedule and made for a late arrival in PHILADELPHIA just as things were closing down.
PLACES VISITED IN WASHINGTON
Places depicted (from left) - 7 LINCOLN MONUMENT 8 VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL
9 KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL 6 REFLECTING POOL 5 WASHINGTON MONUMENT
3 AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM 2 SUPREME COURT 10 PIER FOR RIVER CRUISE
Labeling may be clearer if you can CLICK-EXPAND image.
RIVER CRUISE - ABT 1420
The cruise commentary was chatty and informative, particularly in relation to the military housing and establishments on the left bank of the CHANNEL heading out.
That narrower river at right is the ANACOSTIA.
WASHINGTON RETROSPECTIVE - we certainly managed to fit the basics into this tour. But overall I had the impression of NOT ENOUGH TIME - after all we only had about 6 hours to do all this. The new itinerary, by switching things to DAY 1 and incorporating AFTER DINNER time, seems to have addressed some of this problem.
But I left with the impression of UNFINISHED BUSINESS. There were many places I'd like to spend more time + a whole bunch of other DC icons not visited. The only way to do this was to return for a multi-day visit, something I did a year later....
A YEAR LATER - SEPT 2019
....MORE TIME AT THE AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM....
....A VISIT TO THE AIR AND SPACE ANNEX OUT NEAR DULLES AIRPORT....
....ONE MORE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM....
....THE KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL
....THE WORLD WAR 2 WAR MEMORIAL
....ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
....THE PENTAGON
....plus a whole bunch of others including EMBASSY ROW, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, FORDE THEATRE (where LINCOLN was shot), CHINATOWN, UNION STATION yada. Thing is, WASHINGTON DC is the type of place where you need several weeks to see everything of interest. I had 4 days.
DAY 3 BALTIMORE - ABT 1700
This was just a whistle-stop. The tour itinerary said we would view the major attractions from the outside only, but given our latish arrival, the INDEPENDENCE ICONS were shutting down and had we independently wanted to pay extra to go inside, it would have been too late. I'm thinking those wasted 20 minutes waiting for the non-showers in DC cost some of us dearly. LILLIAN gave us about 50 minutes to wander around the INDEPENDENCE AREA and check the scene.
PHILADELPHIA IN RETROSPECT
I wasn't too upset about the whistle-stop nature of our Phily visit. This is exactly what I expected - heck, it's on the way back between DC and NYC so why not spend an hour or so? Fact is if you are a history buff or independence nerd TAKE TOURS and others have more specific PHIADELPHIA TOURS where you will spend far more time.
Thing is, I'm not big on the birth of US democracy and the Constitution. The latter I think is to blame for a lot of the present seemingly intractable ills. So a whistle-stop was just what I wanted - been there, seen that, now move right along. Certainly my whistle was not wet for a return visit, unlike DC.
DAY 3 ABT 1945 - CHINATOWN NYC
2045 - THE LOCAL HOSTEL NYC - QUEENS
BEST WESTERN NIAGARA FALLS and RED ROOF LAUREL were pretty cool places for this budget traveller, but they don't have an outlook like the above.
NEW TAKE TOUR ITINERARY
In writing this page I naturally booted up TAKE TOUR's online itinerary to refresh my memory. Boy, is it now different! I think they have sat down and said "How can we improve this tour?" The result:
- ORDER OF PLACES HAS REVERSED - so that its now PHILADELPHIA, followed by WASHINGTON and lastly NIAGARA FALLS.
- there seems to be a lot more things included - eg visits to all 3 war memorials in the DC NATIONAL MALL, a night tour there - plus other DC inclusions. Elsewhere some of those 'WINTER ONLY" call-ins now seem all year. A lot more NIAGARA STATE PARK places are included - eg passengers are now taken to GOAT ISLAND overlooks. I think they have managed more inclusions by cutting down on the amount of "free time" and by having post dinner activities in DC.
The only thing missing seems to be WHIRLPOOL STATE PARK + FORT NIAGARA both of which I thought pretty good - and SECRET CAVERNS which I didn't.
But NIAGARA to NYC in one hit last day (no doubt there is a call in at a highway rest-stop) seems a real stretch.
TRIP RETROSPECTIVE
This was a good tour, worth every penny. The way TAKE TOURS has reorganised the itinerary suggests it may be even better now.
- TOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS (in order): 1 "MAID OF THE MIST" 2 AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM 3 WATKINS GLEN GORGE WALK.
- DISAPPOINTMENT: SECRET CAVERNS
- UNEXPECTED BONUS - standard of accommodation was better than I expected. It seems the company has managed to screw some really good deals out of these chain hotels and motels. Which one seemed to be a last minute thing - I gained the impression LILLIAN didn't know our actual night's destination until home office phoned it thru to her in transit.
- PROBLEMS: seemed to be too much free time which we were not forewarned of, so that we could do some pre-trip research on how best to fill it. This was particularly so on DAY 1. The reorganisation of the itinerary suggests the tour operators have tried to minimise this.
: PHILADELPHIA seemed rushed. A particular problem was that time of arrival was late afternoon, just as things were shutting down. The new itinerary has arrival morning of DAY 1.
- CUDOS - to LILLIAN and EDDAR for great service and professionalism 14 hours a day.
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ATTENTION - IF YOU SEE MISTAKES OR HAVE EXTRA INFO, PLEASE POST BELOW. BUT QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ASKED ON THE FORUM PAGE WHICH I CHECK REASONABLY OFTEN, WHEREAS I SELDOM GET BACK TO THESE INDIVIDUAL "PLACE" PAGES
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