Page 3 of Ljeread Travel Blog Posts


North America » Canada » Ontario » Niagara Falls June 22nd 2018

Goodbye NYC, had a ball, don't think I could live here, so busy, all the time. Walking the footpaths is next to impossible, and crossing the road, not for the faint hearted! Our airport transfer arrived on time this morning, no drama like when we arrived. Lots of traffic on the way to Newark, but still there in plenty of time for our flight to Toronto (on a much smaller plane than we have had so far). Airport transfer all went smoothly in Toronto as well, but traffic between Toronto and Niagara Falls was pretty bad. Took us close to 2 hours, but all worth it when we looked out the window of our hotel room with a view! Could see all the falls, the American, the Bridal Veil, and the Horseshoe. And also the Rainbow ... read more
Rainbow Bridge
People on the zipline
Skylon Tower

North America » United States » New York » New York » Manhattan June 21st 2018

We used the Hop On Hop Off bus as a taxi today, so got on one headed uptown, and got off at the start of Central Park. Walked along the edge of the park to the horse and carriages, plenty lined up today, a bit cooler than Monday. Had a short ride through Central Park, then the carriage has to go out onto 5th Ave in all the traffic to get back to the start - that was a little interesting. Decided to go across to the Plaza Hotel, found the food court downstairs, so sat and had coffee. Time for some (window) shopping along 5th Ave, past all the high end stores (and a few churches), only one we went into was Lindt! Also walked past the Trump Tower (the one he lives in when ... read more
Central Park
On 5th Ave
Yep, that's us!

North America » United States » New York » New York » Manhattan June 20th 2018

We were undecided today whether to go up the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Centre - ESB is taller, but further away (would need us to use the bus again, and hard to get back), Top of the Rock (the observation deck of the Rockefeller Centre) is not as tall, has a timed entry (so could be waiting a while) but easier to get to. Had our lazy hats on, so Top of the Rock won! Walked to the main entrance on 50th St, found the ticket desk, they asked did we want to go up straight away, so did not have to come back for a timed entry. Just had to psych myself up for the elevator ride, which goes up to the 67th floor in 42 seconds. Top of the elevator is clear, ... read more
Statue of Libery (from TOTR)
Looking down on the lower deck
Central Park (from TOTR)

North America » United States » New York » New York » Manhattan June 19th 2018

Headed Downtown on the Hop On Hop Off bus today, starting back in Times Square, then past Madison Square Garden, Empire State Building, Macy's, Flatiron building (some of which we had seen last night) and into the financial district. Got off at Trinity Church which is at the start of Wall Street, and close to Ground Zero. It was covered in debris on 9/11. Walked down to the 9/11 Memorial (Ground Zero) to see the waterfalls and reflecting pools that are in the footprint of the Twin Towers. The name of every person who died is inscribed around the edges of the pools, and the staff place a white rose next to a name on that person's birthday. Couid also see One World Trade Centre (the tallest building in the western hemisphere, and the main building ... read more
Madison Square Garden
Empire State Building
Macy's

North America » United States » New York » New York » Manhattan June 18th 2018

First day in New York City, we have our Sightseeing Pass, weather forecast is good (except for a possible storm later tonight), and we are off! Called in to the Hop On Hop Off Bus/Sightseeing Pass Office (which is conveniently across the street and 1/2 block down from our hotel) to book ourselves on the night Sightseeing Tour. Then over to the bus stop to start on the Uptown Tour on the Hop On Hop Off Bus. Bus travelled down 8th Ave, through the theatre district, and was supposed to go all the way down the western side of Central Park. Did not realise Central Park is nearly 60 blocks long! It appeared we had a bit of a renegade driver, who thought going down the side of the park wasn't that interesting, so took a ... read more
Silver Globe at Columbus Circle
Trump Tower (one of them)
American Museum of Natural history

North America » United States » New York » New York » Manhattan June 17th 2018

Banff looked beautiful today in the sunshine as we left to go to Calgary Airport! Bruce drove some of our group (including us) to Calgary, and some were going on the Rocky Mountaineer, including Darcy, the tour guide. Bit of a wait at the airport as other people had earlier flights than us, then our flight was delayed. Landed at Newark airport after a 4 1/2 hour flight, airport transfer was not there (stuck in traffic), so went with a shuttle from the same company. Arrived at our hotel just after midnight, room not as small as we thought it might be, so all good.... read more

North America » Canada » Alberta » Banff June 16th 2018

The weather was not cooperating for the final day of our tour. Rain in Banff and surrounding areas, and even Bruce's magic wand had disappeared. We had a tour of the local area this morning, with a few options for the rest of the day. After a drive through the golf courses at the hotel, the first stop was Bow Falls, a bit different because usually there is a bit of a walk to whatever we are seeing, but there were the falls, right at the carpark. Next a stop at Surprise Corner, a bend in Tunnel Mountain road, where there are views across to our hotel. So all out for photos in the rain. The Hoodoos were next, rock formations, more rainy photos, but passed a herd of elk (females) grazing near the road. Because ... read more
Banff Springs Hotel from Surprise Corner
Elk grazing near the road
Elk

North America » Canada » Alberta » Banff June 15th 2018

Groundhog day - up early, bags out, buffet breakfast, onto the bus, mountains, forest, waterfalls, lakes, sun, rain, clouds. Started the day back on the Icefields Parkway on our way from Jasper to Banff, and because we are on a bus tour, and that means seat rotations, every morning is "find where we are sitting today". Because we were on the "good" side of the road when we travelled to Jasper, we had to be on the other side today. First stop after we left Jasper this morning was Athabasca Falls. A little walk to the falls, viewing area fairly crowded, but very nice waterfall. We see lots of waterfalls, on sides of mountains, and near the road as we are driving, guess we stop at the special ones! Then a coffee stop at Sunwapta Lodge ... read more
Down from Athabasca Falls
Sunwapta Falls
Tangle Falls (next to the road)

North America » Canada » Alberta » Jasper National Park June 14th 2018

Did not have to have our bags out this morning, but still an early start, on the bus by 8am, after another lovely buffet breakfast. Our walk along the lake this morning was in sunshine so saw beautiful reflections in the lake. Headed straight for Maligne Lake (elevation 1670m), where we were booked on a cruise at 9am. (Lots of roadwork around Jasper, so we were a little late.) On the boat (which slowed down for any canoeists it passed) we travelled 14km to Spirit Island (a tied island, only cut off sometimes in Spring when there are heavy rains and melting snow). Maligne Lake is 22km long and almost surrounded by mountain peaks and glaciers - our boat tour guide told us all the names! It is called a fingerlling lake (long and narrow) and ... read more
Our Maligne Lake Cruise Boat at Spirit Island
Spirit Island
Malline Lake near Spirit Island

North America » Canada » Alberta » Jasper National Park June 13th 2018

Another early start today, but a stunning buffet breakfast at Chateau Lake Louise, so all good! Our drive today took us along the Icefields Parkway (one of the top rated scenic drives in the world) from Lake Louise to Jasper. The road passes Herbert Lake (I think that's what it was) where our bus driver (great guy, Bruce, could be an Aussie with his sense of humour), slowed the bus right down so we could get photos of the reflections in the lake. Then onto Bow lake for a rest stop and more photos. Apparently the bus that arrived 10 mins before us, saw bears on the way! Most of the snow we are seeing on the mountains on the way is from a snow storm they had on Monday (lucky we didn't get to the ... read more
Bow Lake
Bow Lake (again)
Our Ice Explorer




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