US help.

[Shiny Things]

Want to add Fire Island's Beach in Itinerary but I don't know how to get there.

Yes I've searched but don't know which directions are best. Might want to explore a nude beach. Would be an eye-opener. Anyone?

You know the Fire Island Pines is gay, right?

If that's what you're after, then one thing to know is that Fire Island got hit pretty hard by Hurricane Sandy, and I think it's still in pretty rough shape. Also, it kind of shuts down after Labor Day - by the time you get there, it'll be a bit on the cold side. Expect shrinkage. I'm just sayin'.

That all said, if you're still hellbent on going - I think you'll need to take the ferry from Sayville and get across from there. Check out Fire Island Ferries, they might have what you need. (Getting to Sayville in the first place is an exercise for the reader.)

Frankly, though, that time of year I'd be inclined to fly down to Key West. It'll be a hell of a lot warmer and only marginally less gay.

 

[paul02]

You know the Fire Island Pines is gay, right?

If that's what you're after, then one thing to know is that Fire Island got hit pretty hard by Hurricane Sandy, and I think it's still in pretty rough shape. Also, it kind of shuts down after Labor Day - by the time you get there, it'll be a bit on the cold side. Expect shrinkage. I'm just sayin'.

That all said, if you're still hellbent on going - I think you'll need to take the ferry from Sayville and get across from there. Check out Fire Island Ferries, they might have what you need. (Getting to Sayville in the first place is an exercise for the reader.)

Frankly, though, that time of year I'd be inclined to fly down to Key West. It'll be a hell of a lot warmer and only marginally less gay.

Where the girls at? I thought nude beaches are for all! I won't have time to fly though; any other places nearby?

 

[patryn33]

for business haha. what's with the bet losing any link with Moline's background?

will venture to Chicago for a weekend, any intersting stuff to see and buy too?

Dude just state that cause one view Midwest as boring unlike Cali, Florida or New york. No one in the right mind will go there or work there. These ppl need to get a life.

Chicago big in beer, if u have time and into shoes visit allen edmond factory just 1-2 he away from Chicago.

What is your interest? I can better help u there. Been there many times.

There are many interesting in the Midwest just need to keep an open mind. Ppl who enjoy out doors get to enjoy mid west.

 

[paul02]

Telur17???

times sq is in the theatre district. you can combine your day 2 n 4. if you want only want to watch avenue q, you might want to buy tix at their box office or online. you need to be open to whatever shows are on or off broadway and have available tix if you want to use tkts.

How would you combine it? I just fear that I would face jet lag during the first two days there.

day 4 - American Museum of Natural History is quite far from times sq. but if you are uying a 7 day tix, then not so bad since can take train back n forth

day 7 - the ferry station is at wall street so you might want to see the famous bull if you are interested. personally, I would rather take the free staten island ferry instead. i think the view is better.

seriouseats (Serious Eats: New York - The New York City Food and Restaurant Blog) has a lot of good recommendations for food. there's also yelp for restaurant reviews.

I am getting a 7-day pass.

As for Day 7, using my NYC Pass, I could do the following:

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

One Statue Cruises ferry ride with stops at Liberty Island (Statue location) and Ellis Island. Enjoy leisure time and an audio tour on each island, plus Ellis Island Immigration Museum admission.

CityPASS does not include Crown Tickets or Monument Access.

OR

Circle Line Cruises

One regularly scheduled Landmark Cruise, Harbor Lights Cruise, or Liberty Cruise, all of which offer magnificent views of the N.Y.C. skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Or experience The Beast Speedboat Ride, a thrilling 30-minute ride on a custom-built 70-foot racing powerboat (available May-Sept.)

Both options can't beat taking the free ferry ride?

 

[keigo0]

You're spoiled for choice with things to do on those two days.

Here's a few outdoor ideas:

* Red Rock Canyon
* Hoover Dam
* Valley of Fire
* Zion National Park (it's 2.5 hours' drive each way but it's totally worth it, and you can hit the Valley of Fire on the way there or back).

And a few indoor ideas:

* Breakfast at the Wicked Spoon buffet in the Cosmopolitan;
* The Shark Reef aquarium at the Mandalay Bay;
* The Fine Art Gallery at the Bellagio;
* A little bit of light shopping at Crystals in the Aria complex;
* Ride the gondolas at the Venetian;
* Have lunch by the faux-Trevi Fountain at Caesars;
* Catch the Deuce bus to downtown (the "old Strip") and walk along the old-style neon of Fremont Street.

Can i tap u guys' brains on what are the options i have if i wana do a side trip to antelope canyon from las vegas? I googled and it seems like there isnt much tours that originates from las vegas hotel unlike GC tour. I am not driving. Thks for advice.

 

[genie47]

Can i tap u guys' brains on what are the options i have if i wana do a side trip to antelope canyon from las vegas? I googled and it seems like there isnt much tours that originates from las vegas hotel unlike GC tour. I am not driving. Thks for advice.

Antelope Canyon Tour is very expensive and they are also rather snobbish. I think there was a report back then that a protog showed up with a high-end mirrorless and was refused entry. They only except photographers, pro or not with DSLRs only.

I dunno if this is changed. I contemplated going there but decided not to. It is a beautiful slot canyon which you see in photographs.

There are no tours direct from Las Vegas. You have to drive to Page, AZ to book a tour from there, if memory serves me right.

Here was the report of the whole issue. Weird. Just weird or maybe not kept updated with the technology advances.

http://petapixel.com/2012/10/20/pho...because-his-mirrorless-camera-lacks-a-mirror/

 

[IntelBen]

USD for exchange. US$1 to S$1.26

Exchange rate US$1 to S$1.26

Change from usd to sing dollars

I have US$2900= S$3654

 

[paul02]

Exchange rate US$1 to S$1.26

Change from usd to sing dollars

I have US$2900= S$3654

Gosh! If only you appeared sooner! Anyway I got mine at 1.2695 exchange rate.

 

[killachicken]

Nice photos. I am thinking of going on a west coast trip in Feb next year.

The plan is to drive from LAX >> Las Vegas >> Lake Tahoe >> SFO

What I wanted to know is, are there any scenic routes between these areas and any particular towns/national parks/attractions worth stopping by? Even if its a little out of the way I wouldn't mind. I love sightseeing while driving. Extended driving hours is fine with me

I was also thinking of 2 options

Only rent cars for driving in between cities Eg. rent on last day of LAX and return at SFO on the first day there

Or just rent the car throughout the trip


LAX
Themeparks

Las Vegas
Some gambling.
Vegas-sy stuff

Lake Tahoe


SFO
Alcatraz
Fishermans wharf


My interests along the driving route will be small towns/ national parks/ Outlet shopping etc

Do give some recommendations on routes and sights to catch!

 

[cormet]

Definitely suggest Highway 1, SF to LA or vice versa. So you might have to change your driving route. For me I flew from Vegas to SFO and then drove down to LA.

 

[Telur17]

Telur17???

oh, bz last few days so din come hwz much. eh, times sq n theatre district are all buildings. times sq sorta in the centre of theatre district so I don't understand why cannot combine. go there oso walk walk look look at buildings, maybe go into shops that interest you. nothing much else unless you happen to come across an event that's held there.

I've no $ to take the cruises so no idea what is recommended.

 

[paul02]

oh, bz last few days so din come hwz much. eh, times sq n theatre district are all buildings. times sq sorta in the centre of theatre district so I don't understand why cannot combine. go there oso walk walk look look at buildings, maybe go into shops that interest you. nothing much else unless you happen to come across an event that's held there.

I've no $ to take the cruises so no idea what is recommended.

times sq is in the theatre district. you can combine your day 2 n 4. if you want only want to watch avenue q, you might want to buy tix at their box office or online. you need to be open to whatever shows are on or off broadway and have available tix if you want to use tkts.

How would you combine it (what to do on day 4 then)? I just fear that I would face jet lag during the first two days there.

 

[paul02]

3 days before departure...

Here's the current Itinerary;

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sunday, 28th Sep 14)
- (morning) St Patrick's Cathedral
- (afternoon) The Museum of Modern Art
- (night) Top of the Rock Observation Deck

Day 2 (Monday, 29th Sep 14)
- (morning) Times Square
- (afternoon) Grand Central
- (afternoon) Bryant Park
- (night) Times Square

Day 3 (Tuesday, 30th Sep 14)
- (morning) Intrepid Museum
- (afternoon) Century 21 Department Store
- (night)

Day 4 (Wednesday, 1st Oct 14)
- (morning) Theater District *TKTS
- (afternoon) American Museum of Natural History
- (night) New World Stages *Avenue Q

Day 5 (Thursday, 2nd Oct 14)
- (morning)
- (afternoon) The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- (night) The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Day 6 (Friday, 3rd Oct 14)
- (morning) High line
- (afternoon) Hells Kitchen
- (night)

Day 7 (Saturday, 4th Oct 14)
- (morning)
- (afternoon) Statue of Liberty Ellis Island / Famous Bull @ Wall Street
- (night)

Day 8 (Sunday, 5th Oct 14)
- (morning) St Patrick's Cathedral
- (afternoon)Empire State Building - Herald Square - Macy's
- (night)

Day 9 (Monday, 6th Oct 14)
- (morning) Central Park
- (afternoon) Central Park
- (night) <insert suggestion here>

Day 10 (Tuesday, 7th Oct 14)
- (morning) Brooklyn Bridge
- (afternoon) 9/11 Memorial *5pm-9pm
- (night)

Subsistence
Peter Luger : 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11211
(if you like steaks coupled with cheesecake)

Minetta Tavern : 113 Macdougal St, New York, NY 10012
(if you like beef burgers, black label burger best burger)

Luke's lobsters : UE, UW Side
(for $20 lobster roll sets)

Katz's Delicatessen : 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, United States
(pastrami sandwiches)

Clinton St. Baking Company : 4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002, United States
(wild blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter)

The Trini Paki Boys : Avenue of the Americas & W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
(halal chicken rice)

Papaya King : Twitter for locations / Website for stores.
(best hot dog in New York?)

Shake Shack : Check website for locations.
(frozen custard)

ChikaLicious Dessert Bar / Caputo’s Bake Shop / Carnegie Deli / Rice To Riches : Check website for locations.
(cheesecake)

Joe's Pizza : Check website for locations.

 

[Telur17]

How would you combine it (what to do on day 4 then)? I just fear that I would face jet lag during the first two days there.

then don't do so much one day 1 n 2 n put the stuff you weren't able to do on day 4?

I really don't understand what you want to do in times sq/theatre district. to me, they are all just buildings and shops so sufficient to do in 1 morning. n u get to see it at nite again when u go for your nite broadway show.

Bryant Park is oso quite small. I finish walking through it in less than 15 mins. But it is nice to sit and people watch, etc. At this time of the year though, there aren't many activities. It is better during xmas time when they have the skating rink n xmas market. Bryant Park | Calendar

 

[patryn33]

In NYC if u enjoy coffee try
New York - Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Everyman Espresso
La Colombe Coffee | Home
https://bluebottlecoffee.com

Makan place check these out
http://www.tvfoodmaps.com/s2/Best-Thing-I-Ever-Ate/NY

 

[Telur17]

In NYC if u enjoy coffee try
New York - Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Everyman Espresso
La Colombe Coffee | Home
https://bluebottlecoffee.com

Makan place check these out
Best Thing I Ever Ate New York Restaurant Listings, Maps, Locations, Seen on TV

stumptown coffee can be found in many cafes now. here's more recommendations for kopi places. 6 Best Coffee Shops in NYC - Big Appled

I think sweetleaf is v good. The LIC branch is just next to gantry state park which has v good views of Manhattan and is just a really nice place to relax in. gantry state park on Tumblr

 

[patryn33]

Slump town is not just a coffee shop they are roaster they source their own beans, create own blends and roast them in Portland or.

Iirc we can find intelligentsia coffee easily there too but coffee are roasted in Chicago.

Local roaster and coffee joint will be fresher

Fun read
http://uscoffeechampionships.org/u-s-coffee-championship-results/

Fun watch
http://www.tv.com/shows/dangerous-grounds/watch/?skipm

 

[Telur17]

Slump town is not just a coffee shop they are roaster they source their own beans and roast them in Portland or.

Iirc we can find intelligentsia coffee easily there too but coffee are roasted in Chicago.

Local roaster and coffee joint will be fresher

Fun read
2014 U.S. Coffee Championship Results

ya, I think they sell their coffee beans and its widely advertised in many cafes that they sell stumptown kopi.

A new development with kopi in NYC is the number of Australian cafes sprouting up. One even displaced Starbucks at a prominent spot in Grand Central.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/dining/australians-arrive-serving-breakfast.html?_r=0

I've never heard of coffee championship. so interesting

Oh, a meal at one of the momofuku restaurants would probably be great

 

[patryn33]

Oz cafe expending to states hmmm..
No love for Starbucks lol

Well there are world event too, last yr jap won. 2010 usa won
World Barista Championship
http://www.worldbaristachampionship.com/wordpress/pdf/2010_WBC_Ranking_Order.pdf

Thank this looks most interesting out of all the oz coffee joint.
http://www.tobysestate.com

 

[Telur17]

Oz cafe expending to states hmmm..
No love for Starbucks lol

Well there are world event too, last yr jap won. 2010 usa won
World Barista Championship
http://www.worldbaristachampionship.com/wordpress/pdf/2010_WBC_Ranking_Order.pdf

Thank this looks most interesting out of all the oz coffee joint.
Toby's Estate

the australian cafe that kicked starbucks out of grand central is cafe grumpy
Cafe Grumpy