My feet hate me. Particularly my heels. But at least it's been good cardio and generally great weather for it.
I've been keeping track of my travels on a map. The thick black lines are the main routes I've followed over the last 11 days, plus or minus a few streets and blocks. The yellow circle is the hotel.
I learnt the other day that all buildings in NYC over 6 stories high have a water tank. Many are exposed and often look out of character with the building.
But I've noticed a couple that have been used as a canvas for art.
While I've been overseas I've been editing some of my pictures for posting on Instagram. For anyone not on Facebook or Instagram, here are the ones I'm the most pleased with. I have a fondness for patterns in architecture, so there are quite a few along those lines. These and others are on my Instagram account.
Escape From Alcatraz
Father and Son (1)
20th Century Castles
It's Cold in the Shadow of the Empire State
Redundant
Father and Son (2)
Exposed
Glimmer of Hope
Breathing
Crossing Over
Meatpacking District Sunday AM
Nonconformist
Homogenised
Self Portrait?
Finally, a rainy morning. Perfect for staying in bed and maybe ordering room service breakfast. I've been waiting for one of these; an opportunity to be truly lazy without the guilt of what I could/should be out there doing.
I just came across this picture I snapped on my phone the other day. I didn't realise the avenues came in half sizes. For a brief moment I wondered if there was some kind of Harry Potteresque meaning.
So far this visit, the Empire State Building has been lit mainly white. Tonight it's a bright orange. At first I thought it might be related to Halloween (orange and black appear to be the standard colours). But I just checked online and they have a regular calendar of lighting and tonight it's in honour of a mentoring program called iMentor. The program's signature colour is orange.
By the way, there will be special Halloween lighting on the 31st.
The hotel has a light hearted approach to much of their signage and literature. A bit hip. Anyway, the bath robe is equally light hearted.
Look at me ... grrrrr!
I came across this scene on my wanders in downtown Vancouver today. Sure, it's been constantly in my consciousness since Before the Dawn, but Among Angels immediately came to mind.
I knew the apartment/hotel was in the gay part of Vancouver when I booked. But even for me, it's quite a new experience staying somewhere surrounded by rainbows.
As you can see, the building rises up out of Davie street, which certainly helps with those panoramic views.
The hotel allowed quite a late check out which gave me plenty of time to fluff about and not rush. Then the shuttle brought me back to the airport. Getting through security was very quick too.
So that just leaves another extended stay to wander round a big airport. Hong Kong feels like it has so many more shops and food options than Singapore, yet I found the day less fun than the one I spent in Singapore on the way home from London. Not sure why.
But being here does evoke very strong and fond memories of when Emily and I spent time here on our way to Europe in 2010. That was the very start of a massive adventure for both of us and Hong Kong airport was really one of our first big "pinch me" moments.
I remember eating ramen with Emily and sitting in nearly this exact same place. Of course I had to do it again. Very tasty too!
I wandered around the airport, taking in various angles and views. The hills on the island make a spectacular backdrop to the airport.
Quite by accident, I stumbled across a seat where the windows framed the planes beautifully as they took off. Unfortunately though, after many attempts to get one perfectly positioned, this was the best I managed.
The airport ceiling is quite massive and geometrical, so naturally I had to take some shots. I spent ages taking pictures from various positions and angles. It was quite funny because people would walk past and look up to see what I was photographing. There were a few perplexed looks. This is one of my favourites, edited for Instagram.
And the roof from the outside is just as interesting. It almost mirrors the arches of the hills in the distance.
I have a few more hours to go before my flight. I'm sick of looking through shops, though I did take advantage of an electronics store to get a universal socket adaptor; something I'd completely forgotten to pack, apart from my Apple rechargers. So much for "Mr Super Organised"!
I'll grab some dinner soon. Then, next stop Vancouver.
After choosing to stay in the airport instead of taking a bus tour into the city I was a little worried I might be in for an arduous and boring day. In the end though I had a great day. I read, ate, drank and explored. And massive airports like this one are always good for a photo or two.
When I paused to take this shot I was only looking at the handrail. I only noticed the great lines and perspective when I checked the image. Another happy accident.
Masses of trolleys waiting patiently for the next wave of travellers.
By 8:00 pm I'd been there 12 hours. Only a few to go and I was feeling tired but OK. I've picked up a little cold and my runny nose was getting very annoying. I decided to seek out some medication. I made sure it wasn't going to prevent me from sleeping in the plane. Yes, it will make me drowsy? That's OK, I thought. I took one just over an hour before boarding not realising how quickly or intensely it would take effect. The last hour before boarding was hell! I had to keep constantly walking or moving for fear of falling asleep at the gate. I have never felt so happy and relieved to finally sink into my seat on the plane. Not that it would ensure sleep. I dozed at best, yet it was enough to make that final flight seem quite short.
Yesterday (Thursday) was my last full day in London. There were a couple of things left on my "to see" list, so after a bit of research I headed out. My legs have been sore so I took the tube.
First stop was the Imperial War Museum. When I was here last year most of it was closed due to renovations for this year's centenary of the start of WWI. The new main area is quite impressive.
Naturally, the main event at the moment is the WWI exhibition. It was superb and packed with people. I learnt a few facts I'd not realised.
The other exhibitions were good, but not as indepth as I'd expected. I guess there are other museums in London that tell the story of WWII in more detail.
My other main destination was the design museum. On the way to the tube station I encountered streets of these buildings.
Then, quite unintentionally, I stumbled across The Shard while looking for a place to eat my lunch. Foreboding like a 21st century pyramid.
The design museum had some interesting exhibitions including one on Louis Kahn, a famous architect. Overall though, I was a little disappointed. I expected more exhibits. This is the sign on the wall of the museum.
I decided to walk back to the apartment to maximise my last experience of London (this time around) and hopefully find one or two photo ops.
I love how in London you can turn a corner and suddenly an iconic building peeks out from between the ordinary office blocks.
Last discovery of the day was this old church ruin now a public garden.
Spent the evening tidying, packing and planning my trip to the airport in the morning. Looks like the baggage handler strike is going ahead so the airline has advised getting there early.
I forgot to post this from yesterday. I'm very wary of photographing people, but I thought this scene was too gorgeous to miss.
The weather today has been superb; clear blue skies and warm. I awoke early after a broken sleep feeling the steam roller effects of jet lag. All the same, it was too nice to stay in bed so I got myself organised and fed and out the door. The plan was to walk to the Thames and visit a couple of places on my "to see" list.
Down the stairs first.
Marchmont Street is near the apartment. The buildings caught my attention.
The roads to the Thames were still familiar from my trip last year and before long I was there. I've walked under Blackfriars Bridge before, but today I really noticed the geometry.
One destination was the Design Museum. But when I got there they told me that some floors were closed until Wednesday. I decided to come back later in the week. Along the way I paused to take in more buildings.
And it seemed like everywhere I went, The Shard was just hiding around the corner.
Another destination on my list was The Tower of London to see the poppy installation to commemorate the start of WWI. I'd seen some pictures but it was still breathtaking and moving. Each is a ceramic poppy mounted on a metal stake. There will be over 800,000 representing the British soldiers killed in the war. Such a fitting way to remember.
After some lunch the last stop was the Barbican to attend the Digital Revolution exhibition. It contained examples of digital art and entertainment from the very beginnings to some amazing new projects and installations.
From an old legend ...
To a new rendering of me (taking the photo) ...
To an amazing space where people's movement triggered some fantastic real time graphics.
After all that I was exhausted and took the tube back to the apartment. Had diner in the apartment so I can grab an early night. Tomorrow night is Kate date #1 and I want to be bright eyed and bushy tailed.
The plane was boarded on time. An A380 full of expectant sardines at the start of a 13 hour journey. Despite my careful seat selection I ended up swapping with someone else so they could sit with their companion. The new seat was still fine and I settled in for the journey. I felt refreshed and much more comfortable than on the previous flight.
As it would be another day flight I had no intention of sleeping. Hopefully staying awake would help my body clock. And so began a movie marathon only punctuated by meals and musical interludes. I watched The Immigrant, Requiem for a Dream (another past favourite), The Walk of Shame (unexpectedly funny) and Transcendence.
On arrival I hastily made my way to immigration to get a good place in the queue. It still took a while, but much better than last year. Once finally reunited with my suitcase I walked the endless corridors to the tube station to catch the Piccadilly Line to Russell Square. It was so good to be back on board these familiar carriages. I recorded a little of the station announcements, just in case I can use them for something.
Finding the apartment was easy; only 5 minute walk from the station. It's only a very small studio and, in hindsight, probably not worth what I'm paying. But it opens onto a small park and has a lovely airy feeling.
As soon as I'd washed the travel off me I set to the nearest supermarket to immerse myself in the unknown brands. Walking back with my purchases I got that wonderful sense of being overseas, being on holiday, being back in this place I love.
My first flight went well. (Only) 6+ hours and it seemed to pass quite quickly. I had secured a window seat and as we left Adelaide I was surprised by the patchwork quilt of green and gold fields. I'm so used to seeing brown.
But soon all the colour variations faded into familiar red of the outback. It was a bit of a shock to see the vibrant blue sea reaching into coves and inlets as we crossed the north west coast. Massive expanses of sea were now only occasionally punctuated by islands or a massive volcano in Indonesia.
I kept myself entertained with a couple of movies. To my excitement, in their art house selection they had Pi an intense black and white film that I hadn't seen in ages. Loved seeing it again. The other film was Grand Budapest Hotel which was also great though I have to confess to nodding off a couple of times. May try to catch it again to fill in the pieces.
On arrival in Singapore I managed to successfully navigate my way out of the airport and to my hotel for the night. It was still located a fair way out from downtown Singapore so I decided there wasn't enough to entice me away from the coolness of my room and the comfort and size of a bed (that came as a pleasant surprise after the first impressions of the hotel lobby).
I slept well, despite the occasional nagging thoughts of potentially forgotten details or arrangements.
Now I'm back at the airport. Here in plenty of time thanks to the airline pickup service. A croissant and coffee for breakfast and water to rehydrate; all set to go for part two now.
Next stop London.
