Experiences of a Redneck

[drron]

AA176. NRT-DFW. ETD-1200.

So we left the Hilton at 0900.For those not used to Japan when a shuttle etc is scheduled to leave at 0900 it leaves at 0900.You cant be even a minute late.We were first in the F checkin line at 0915 with check in due to start at 0930.The boards at the AA checkin only showed departures up to 1110.Whilst waiting I glanced up at the main board.The red Kanji alongside AA176 alarmed me.When it flicked to English it came up-CANCELLED.
When checkin opened Mrsdrron says we were supposed to be on 176.The agent taps a few keys and says you have been reaccommodated on AA154 to ORD.Then AA352 to LGA-turns out arriving at LGA only 4 hours after that if on time via DFW.However AA154 leaves NRT at 1840 so we now have 9 hours to kill.

We had been our most organised for this day and even had pre ordered our meals through to LGA.Well so much for that.However we were lucky whether AA were being nice to me or that we were first in line.At the J counter next to us 2 businessmen were being told they could only be flown out the next day.Later I watched the lines from the upper shopping floor at NRT as mrsdrron did a bit of shopping.I watched the F line.A couple and 3 singles who were in that line then exited the terminal whilst 3 went to the down escalator-? to the NEX.Now personally I would have liked to have been put on the 1140 JAL flight to JFK in F but as we were on Aawards that was never going to happen.

After her shopping we went through the fast track Immigration and security.Then went to the main JAL Flounge and booked our massages.First available at 1145 and 1200.The fellow was really strong and I was positive he was trying to dislocate my shoulders.However after waiting for the initial pain to subside my neck and back did feel better.After the massage I tried the Monopole champagne and had a bite to eat but not their famous beef curry which I find very bland.Unfortunately there was no white wine that mrsdrron liked so we left.The plan was to go to the upstairs JAL Flounge but it was now closed.So we went to the AC where the wine is better.Not as good variety of food but we had eaten.A good curry puff however.Personally I prefer the ambience of the AC to the JAL lounges.
The only problem we were having was that we were heartily sick of Christmas carols.Only 2 places with some relief-one Central World in BKK where they thought Auld Lang syne was a Christmas carol.next in the JAL lounge where they kept playing Keep the Red Flag Flying.OK it is also a Christmas carol but remembered by me as Gaudeamus Igitur from Uni days.

It gave us a great place to watch the plane movements watching AA planes arrive but unfortunately not the one for ORD-

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Our plane did not arrive until 1730 so we were obviously going to be late.

 

[serfty]

...I watched the F line.A couple and 3 singles who were in that line then exited the terminal whilst 3 went to the down escalator-? to the NEX.Now personally I would have liked to have been put on the 1140 JAL flight to JFK in F but as we were on Aawards that was never going to happen.
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Maybe the were off to HND for AA to JFK? (no - discontinued December 1)

 

[drron]

But also the AA HND-JFK flight left HND at 0630.Never was it considered in our plans-for 2 milesAAver awards in F I always book at the 330 day mark just to be sure.

AA154. NRT-ORD. ETD-1840. Push back-1858. Take off-1933.
ETA-1535. Landed-1544. At Gate-1555.
772 and we have seats 4G,J.Across the aisle but they are staggered so not really close.Also the J galley is right behind row 4 but in the circumstances we couldn't complain.A little worried as going down the air bridge one of the pilots was talking to the ground staff asking if there were any maintenance guys around to help start the plane-visions of the plane being crank started.:shock:
More worrying was the late start with just a 2 hour transit at ORD.We had been on this flight in August and it had taken us around an hour to get through Immigration.
So to settle down it was 2 glasses of champagne pre take off and another when in the air.Not long after that dinner was served.2 FAs bring out the meal a third is in the galley plating up the meals.This one was the same fellow,Paul,who had done the same job for us in August-and he does a very good job.Very quiet though.So now the wine list and menu-sorry some shots are a little fuzzy-would have nothing to do with the champagne or the nice Californian pinot noir from the lounge!

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A much more conservative selection for the meal than our previous long haul AA F meals.
The food features next.

 

[drron]

So here is the food.good tastes and I was satisfied.

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And to QF here is a salad I like.Not just green leaves but using some colour,different textures and taste-

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When my steak arrived I didn't think it looked great but it was still pink inside,moist and full of flavour-

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And when it came to desserts it was always going to be the healthy,low calorie sundae-

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With the meal I started off with the SB and switched to the Faustino red for the steak.Both were nice wines.
After dinner I read a few magazines,did some more soduko and worked for a while planning December 2014s trip.Felt very tired so had the bed made up and had a few hours of fitful sleep.Fortunately enough to have me sparking until we got to our Manhattan digs.Awoke with about 90 minutes to go.Flying over the mid west-there have been several snow storms so the country looked beautiful from 35000 feet-

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I was then asked if I would like the light meal/breakfast so I asked if the bento box was available.It was but came with some of the brekkie items.Very nice-

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The crew were very efficient and I had a short talk with Paul who welcomed me to the "new"American as it was the day the merger was official.Mrsdrron didn't think it a great crew but probably because for the first time none of the crew came and had a 20-30 minute chat with her.
Fortunately we made up some time to ORD.Then we got lucky.There was no long queue at Immigration just 5 pax at each gate.Unfortunately the 5 in front of us looked like they were off the Qatar flight.2 of them got taken away for further questioning.When we got to the carousel the bags were just about to complete the first circuit.Ours were near the front.Straight through customs and again no one at the baggage drop.This was staffed by 2 Russians only 1 of whom spoke English
So then off to our next flight.

 

[serfty]

Watching closely as I am doing AA154 then to LAX with a 150 minute connection in April. (Do have a Z alert set for direct to LAX)

 

[drron]

After dropping our bags it was up to the inter-terminal train.One was at the station but absolutely full.It remained there for about 5 minutes with the doors open before leaving meaning that when the next train came we were packed in like sardines even though not everyone could get on.Then at Terminal 3 the escalator was not working leading to another delay.Even at the F security there was a delay but when we got through the board was saying a 15 minute delay for our flight to LGA.So we went to the AC as our plane was leaving from the closest gate to the AC and we thought we would only have about 20 minutes in the lounge and we didn't need any food.
However it ended up the incoming flight was an hour late.Just as well we didn't have to go outside as the Bears V the Cowboys game came on the TV and they said the temperature was 12F.
AA352 ORD-LGA. ETD-1735. Push back-1835. Take off-1846.
ETA-2045. Landed-2132 At gate-2137.
I had been allocated 6A and mrsdrron 4F.Fortunately 6C was a gentleman and before I even asked volunteered to swap with mrsdrron.Naturally having a window seat I had the shade up and took photos-

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soon after take off dinner was served.Certainly didn't look great but we both thought tasted OK.Mrsdrron had the pasta and I the chicken schnitzel-

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Obviously lots of snow.Over I presume the Poconos there was an operating lift with probably a restaurant at the top of the mountain.Over New Jersey the lights were great-

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That's the Statue of Liberty.Unfortunately I only had my small point and shoot.We then flew over LGA and made a great loop to get back-

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On landing the Captain announced the temp was 3C.We thought it cold.Unfortunately we weren't to know that that was to be the highest temperature for our weeks stay.A couple of minutes wait for our bags then out in the cold to the taxi queue.Very quickly we were in a cab and heading for Manhattan.
That next.

 

[drron]

For his visit to NYC we are staying at the Hilton Club 57th st.west.Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-reviews/hilton-club-57th-st-west-56325.html

Being late the taxi rate is a little higher than during the day but with tip it was $45.Soon in our room and straight to sleep.Awoke early enough to sort of see the sunrise-

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Later that day the snow started-

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Central Park does look spectacular with the snow.the snow didn't really last that long this first day.By evening it was fine-

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Now to jump ahead a little to today we went out for lunch with my neice and her partner.A very good,huge Yum Cha restaurant in Chinatown-

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We then went to midtown for desserts-a typical Japanese sweets place.Expensive but very nice.At Madison and 52nd-

More food next.

 

[drron]

The first night we went to dinner at Rue 57 on the corner of 57 and 6th as it was only 250 metres from our lodgings and we got a 15% discount there(for staying at the Hilton Club).Billed as a French/Japanese restaurant but basically American with some sushi and sashimi.We started with a pot of mussels we shared as an entrée.For mains mrsdrron had pork rib sliders and I had a steak.Both were good.Theeak looked over done but on cutting it was perfect.

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Wednesday and today was lunch at Le Bernadin.Our favourite in NYC.Magnificent seafood.It is our 5th visit.Usually rated in the top 5 restaurants in NYC and has had 3 Michelin stars for many years.The idea is to go at Lunch-much cheaper.The 3 course lunch is now $75.You always get a complimentary salmon dip(although changes but always salmon).For starters mrsdrron had the scallops with dashi and I had the surf and turf-bone marrow with sea urchin-it was fantastic-

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Mrsdrron had the lobster with red wine sauce with a salsa of radish,mushroom and truffle.I had mezalu(a fish) with a foie gras sandwhich and a lime and foie gras sauce.Again great-

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Then mrsdrron had pistachio ice cream with a passionfruit gelee.I had the dark chocolate parfait with crème de leche.Yummy-

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With a bottle of SB tip and tax-$285.And worth it.
To finish-drron gets ready to go conferencing-

 

[drron]

The first day we set out in the snow to go to Macy's.The forecast was for the snow to get heaviest between 1100 and 1300.On cue it stopped snowing at 1100 and restarted at 1300 for about an hour.We caught the bus down and then walked back.Stopped of at Bryant Park where there is an ice rink and a Christmas market-

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You really do think it is Christmas.
Back to the food.On Thursday it was lunch at The Modern-only has 1 Michelin star.Our second visit here.Interesting plates etc-

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You start with 3 small tastes.A sweet potato parcel on pea mousse,fish and herbs on toast with huckleberry jam.Then I had a scallop with bell pepper salsa but because mrsdrron had told the waiter she doesn't tolerate bell peppers she got sea urchin on mushroom.

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With the bread we were served normal butter and goat butter-the white one which I enjoyed.
Next-the rest of lunch.

 

[drron]

This was a 4 course lunch so we each had 2 appetisers.Mrsdrron had diced mussels and almonds on thinly sliced mushroom-exquisite presentation.I had marinated sardines on a bell pepper and tomato salsa with lime and blood orange paste.

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For our second appetiser we both had the foie gras and scallop with an apple mousse-

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For mains mrsdrron had had the skirt steak whilst I had pork belly-

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Again great presentation and a taste to match.
Then desserts.Mrsdrron had Concord grape 3 ways and I a caramel parfait with coconut sago and mango and cilantro sorbet plus a passionfruit parcel-

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Once again with a bottle of SB,tax and tip it came to $285.
After lunch mrsdrron exercised the credit cards at the MOMA shop whilst I walked down to 34th and 9th to B&H.The computer was playing up even more,Picasa crashed so I got a new travel computer.Went to an Asus.Cheaper than Australia.It is really worth going there just for a look.They do an incredible business.I got a young Jewish salesman with a difference.When you have decided they take your telephone number and up comes your account.So he says you have bought 3 things here.Yep.I see that you took the International warranty twice but not the third time.Yep.So no point me giving you the spiel about the International warranty.Nope.So go to counter 3 and just tell the guy I gave you the spiel.No worries.
More eats to come.

 

[drron]

So some views of Manhattan on Sunday-the day after 5 inches of snow-

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The tree at Rockefeller Centre is really not very impressive this year-

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Probably doesn't like the cold.But for those here later in the week Friday is forecast to be hot.Yes it will reach 10C.
What I enjoy in New York are the buildings with all architectural styles.Often great reflections in the modern ones-

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[drron]

On the Friday night friends of ours from Vermont came down to have dinner with us.They had booked at Le Cirque.It describes itself as New York's most legendary restaurant.Certainly pricy.Many of NYCs chefs have started here such as Daniel Boulud.However 4 courses are either $125 or $145.We both started with the lobster salad.very nice but presentation was old fashioned-

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We then both had the foie gras ravioli and for mains the herb crusted lamb rack.Again old fashioned-

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For desserts I had a crème brulee and mrsdrron had their Holiday palette.Pecan condense milk, orange-cranberry marmalade, chocolate mousse, gingerbread ice cream-

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At last a dish that was becoming of a fine restaurant.We also got a 15% discount here as we were staying at the Hilton club but with tax and tip it still came to $400 a couple.But I looked at my AA account today and both this and Rue 57 earnt me AA miles.At the end we were talking and we all got the impression they wanted us to leave.As we were picking up our coats the next diners were being led to our table and several parties were at the bar with menus in hand.Didn't really think it was great value.

So back to some more pictures-

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[drron]

So more of the streetscapes of NYC-

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[amaroo]

On the Friday night friends of ours from Vermont came down to have dinner with us.They had booked at Le Cirque.It describes itself as New York's most legendary restaurant.-

We didn't have a good experience here way back in 96. From the looks of your experience not much has changed.

 

[drron]

So some more NYC scenes.first from our hotel at sunset,then night-

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Monday and time to take mrsdrron shopping.Today it was Lord and Taylors.This was much more enjoyable than the day at Macys.Far fewer shoppers and everyone was getting a 25% discount even on sale items.Mrsdrron did well and we both got new watches-in fact what mrsdrron had chosen on line but at an effective 40% off.She was very happy.
After that we walked to Grand Central station.Some great buildings-

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I really like the Chrysler building and the last is of Tudor City which overlooks the UN-a different area well worth a look.Then it was in to the Christmas markets-some up market stalls including a few of the museums.This one amused me-

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Made in Brooklyn and no observable connection to Australia.

 

[drron]

Monday night and it was down to City Lobster on 49th and 6th.Good lobster and you earn AA or US miles.-tonight US as a 1000 mile bonus.We shared some mussels and then each of us had a small lobster-

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Once again also a 15% discount.With a bottle of SB,tip and tax-$240.But very enjoyable.On the way back up 6th Ave we enjoyed the Christmas lights-

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[drron]

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And of course it wouldn't be NYC without the food carts-

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And it appears Santa is staying at Hilton Midtown-

 

[drron]

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[TomVexille]

Great photos drron. Thanks for sharing.

 

[drron]

Now for some serious business.We went to NYC so I could attend the American college of Cardiology's Annual NYC Christmas meeting.
Now just for those that like to complain about the 1 percenters I hereby admit that I am going to claim the full cost of my First Class flights to and from the US.Yes the whole $US5.03 will be claimed.

So with that of my chest a bit about the conference.It started in spectacular fashion when the first session had just started and a fellow walked in and collapapsed to the floor in front of a 1000 cardiologists.Fortunately a simple faint.
Things improved from there.There was a lot about the new advances in cardiology.Over the next few years things are really going to change.Genomics is set to revolutionise the practice of medicine.Not only testing for simple genetic mutations but already there is a genetic test for chest pain in the ER being evaluated.Then there are already tests to predict side effects from drugs,the dosage and the chance of therapeutic success.
Also being evaluated is a monoclonal antibody for the treatment of high cholesterol.But don't think the statins are going away.Evidence now that they can attenuate the changes of aging in your DNA.

Then there is health monitoring.That however is based on wireless technology.The number of apps already available is staggering.

So I come back from the USA refreshed,re energised but also grateful that I am nearing the end of my career.The art of medicine will not be lost but probably much harder to find.
Next back to travel and my first visit to EWR.