Day 9, 10 and 11 -Slow boat in China

March 10, 2014April 6, 2024 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

We boarded our cruise ship Victoria Lianna for our much anticipated three day cruise

Goodbye Chongqing

down the Yangtze River. After a few (a good few drinks) in the Yangtze Bar we settled in for the night in our great little cabins. It was so nice to leave balcony door open and watch the world (China) glide by. The first tag team took on David (guide) in a drinking session, looking at likes of Gary and crew they were unsuccessful as David bounce up full of beans and they were a little worse for wear.

Our cozy comfortable cabin

Night 1

It would have been worth being up at three in the morning to see Louella headed to the bar in her robe looking for Gary who she was certain must have fallen overboard somewhere.

David in strife following big night

Breakfast was enjoyed by most of the group with exception of a couple people who chose extra rest over the meal. Almost all the group set

on the guided tour to the ghost city with all reports pointing to fascinating experience.

For those of us who remained on board it was chance to catch up on some rest and try and ward off the colds that are starting appear among the group.

In the afternoon we all headed out on deck for the viewing of the first two of the three gorges. Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most dramatic. The 25-mile long Wu Gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. It was a sight to be seen, this afternoon also featured the captains reception where we were treated to canapés and drinks. Dinner was uneventful and team two took up the running with David who saw them off in style. Not sure who was in this group but there was a fair amount of mixing drinks during the evening.

The scenery from the deck or the cabin was forever changing and it was hard not to just sit and gaze out but there was always something to do. The only problem some many things happening little time to just sit on the balcony and enjoy the passing views.

Another feature was the trip was transferring to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Shennong Stream. Once at top of gorge we watched traditional dancing and singing before returning to our cruise ship. This was the most amazing place and the people living here must be very strong as the terrain would make every day activities almost impossible. Needless to say the mountains were dotted with homes, power lines and roads. How they ever put this infrastructure is beyond belief.

Back on board it was time for a rest before a practice for our cabaret act. It was decided that the group would sign G’day G’day with some actions and limited props. It was decided that Sharpy would give a demonstration of an auction with our group acting as buyers. This went over well and I think Don (with David interpreting) introduction as to why we were in China was well received and gave some context to our performance. There will be no Oscars, awarded for the performance but we had a lot of fun and certainly entertained the other passengers.

After the performance it was time for us to go through the locks at the dam, this was sensational and we all stayed out on deck for the whole process, which takes around 4 hours to be completed. In the meantime it was the final tag team turn to take on poor David, pleased to say he withstood phase three but I think his stamina was starting to wane, another night on board and I think they would have had him.

After 3 big nights finally
wearing him down – Needed 1 more night

Up and at ‘em next morning, albeit a little more slowly for those who partied on until well into the night. We tramped off the boat again to bus over to the three gorges dam for another tour- another highlight to add to the long list of highlights on this tour. What an amazing feat to build such a structure, although we could see it all that well as it was a very misty (smoggy) day but to see the lock system that we came through during the night and see the dam itself was all I expected and much much more.

Back on board for lunch before disembarking for a bus ride to Yichang airport for the short flight to Shanghai, the last leg of the main tour. Eleven members of the group are travelling on to Beijing while eight of us are headed home after few days in Shanghai.

Day 8 Chongqing Old Town, Panda’s and boarding the Yantze Cruise

March 9, 2014April 6, 2024 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Old town in Chongqing and Panda Zoo was on the schedule for the morning of day eight.

This was very interesting and most of the morning was punctuated by a game of pegging (someone from Tilpa who shall remain nameless purchased half a dozen pegs).

Pegging at its extreme

These pegs where pegged to various of the tour group members followed by much giggling and snickering among the others until the pegee found the peg and then homed in on the next victim.

At one staff group from Yass who will remain also remain nameless ended up with no less that 5 pegs on backpack, someone decided to add their hanky to the peg as if drying washing.

Oh yes a couple rogues in the group peg the statue of a kangaroo in the panda park. It was funny to see how such a silly little game could cause so much laughter and so many alliances formed, you keep eye on my back and I will watch yours, etc

River mist not pollution – that was the line provided

The panda’s were very sleepy but we did get to see one up close

enjoying a bamboo lunch. After the enjoyable visit with china’s national treasures we headed off to lunch of our own in the old town and our first real experience of street seething with people.

It was unbelievable but everyone was so nice and I really felt very safe prowling around the streets.

After a meal at a great place that of looked the old town street were headed our to sample their wares, everyone seem to come back to the meeting point with a purchase or two.

Doesn’t everyone carry compressor like this?

Back on the bus to navigated (at one point our national guide, David was off the bus folding in drivers mirrors so the could pass the bus in narrow gridlock little road) our way to teahouse and learn how to make and drink traditional Chinese tea.

Right ..well I think a quick board meeting is required

Once at the teahouse drop off point the two MacWool staff decided they need to have a meeting on the bus while the rest of us visited the teahouse ZZZZZzzzzzzzz.

The park was very beautiful and the tea was tea but worth doing just the same. After another dinner you guessed it Chinese but it was again tasty but a few dishes that seem to make repeat performance such as the scrambled egg and tomato, very yummy but not three times a day.

Following dinner it was back on the bus for a 10-minute ride to the dock to board the Victoria Lianna, our home for the next three days.

Thanks goodness we walked down the 200 hundred steps to board and not up otherwise I would be still in Chongqing.

Days 5, 6 and 7 Li River, Yangshuo and Flute Reed Caves Guilin

March 7, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Day 5 Li River Boat to Yangshuo

Kevin our local guide

After breakfast, we collected our bagged lunch, we piled on the bus again and the regulars took their places on the back seat for the short boat ride down Li River (4 hours). After a warning by our guides not to consume the food provided by the boat, as it is prepared using water from the river (one look at the kitchen area of each boat gave any further incentive needed to stick our packed lunch).

Taxi – anyone?

The four-hour float down the river was very peaceful and with a backdrop of the most beautiful sentry all the way we will all remember this part of our trip for years to come. The brave went up to take in the full wonder of Mother Nature’s display of this magical place.

Sharpy and I made a short stay up top to enjoy the little break in the misty rain before returning to comfort of our table in the cabin. We arrived in Yangshuo in the mid afternoon and scramble up the steps through the intense market staller-holders that came to the waters edge to hawk their wares. Those who made the mistake of speaking to them (even to say ‘no thank you’) had following all the way to the hotel 20 minutes away. If you speak to them they take it as acknowledgement and you may be talked into buying something. A strategy that worked on a few in our group, they ended up making a purchase just to get rid of them.

After walk through the ‘Hello’ markets (whole town is markets) and are known as the ‘Hello’ markets as the stall holders constantly call out hello, hello, hello in the hope that you will engage with them before then sell you then sell you something. After running the gauntlet of the stallholders for the 20-minute walk through the market town to our hotel we checked in to comfortable rooms.

The Green Lotus Hotel was very comfortable and after a short break everyone headed out in pairs or in small groups to explore the markets for a couple hours. Our little group made our way to KFC to sample some western style food, we just had a snack of chips etc. it was nice to be on familiar ground once again albeit for a short time.

Let the shopping begin, their were some great bargains to be found and I think everyone in the group made a purchase or two and others made many purchases. We had a pleasant dinner in the hotel before most of the group headed out to the world famous Impressions Show using the lime stone mountains as a backdrop. This is just something that words cannot described and one of the ‘seeing is believing’ parts of this fascinating country. This was an outstanding show and everyone thought it was a very worthwhile additional excursion.

Day 6 – Old Farm, Group Massage (Foot Reflexology) and Cormorant Fishing

A bit later start at around 9.30am we boarded the bus and headed out to a farm just outside Yangshuo the farm house was 300 years old and the two old farmers living here were both in late 70s.

They didn’t want to live in the new house next door. It was very very primitive and cold. We then re-boarded the bus and headed out to a small village where we wandered around and got the feel of village life, it was very interesting but not a place I would like to have to spend my days.

Back on the bus and back to town for lunch, surprise surprise it was Chinese. Everything was good and we all ate up heartily before the highlight of the day and maybe the trip. Most of us booked in for a reflexology foot massage 120Yuan for one how. This was sensational and we were all in a room together with gales of laughter we enjoyed the experience very much and all felt better afterwards. Sharpy was very footsore and lame going in and came out feeling like a new man with fresh feet, must have felt better tipped his girl 100yuan.

Cormorant fishing which interesting t see how they used to use the bird to catch their fish. The ride out into the middle of the Li River in pitch darkness on a bamboo raft with only the glow of town lights to guide was eerie but well worth every minute. This would never happen at home as regulations would not allow twenty people on a bamboo raft with no life preservers and a very swift flowing current in the pitch dark. We only ran aground once and all the boys had to move to the back to get us going again. The hardy ones headed to a Karaoke bar to belt out a tune or two and rest of us headed back to hotel and turned in after a long enjoyable day.

Day 7 – South China Pearl Museum and Flute Reed Cave Guilin

After another substantial breakfast we boarded the bus for the one and half hour ride back to Guilin, once back in Guilin we visited the South Sea Pearl Museum and boy there was some serious spending done here. Such a beautiful range of the most beautiful fresh and seawater pearls I have ever seen. Yes Sharpie had to kick the tin a bit too for the Guilin economy and I purchased a beautiful black sea pearl pendant and a few other bits and pieces.

After the shopping stop and with all the boys on board feeling a little or a lot poorer on International Woman’s day we set off for the Flute Reed caves. What can I say they were spectacular and like nothing else I have ever seen, probably as I have never been under ground before. Other that had visited caves elsewhere were blown away by the beauty and formations they saw.

After lunch we headed to the Guilin airport here we said goodbye to our local guide Kevin (he was fantastic and so interested in our group) and were promptly being processed by security we all gathered at the gate and enjoys a bit of a rest, although a couple of they die hard shoppers still managed to fine some things to buy. I was just happy to Skype all the kids and catch up on news at home. Little Indee still thinks we are at Chinese not in China, kept asking Poppy Ian if he was still at dinner.

Doesn’t everyone defrost steak
on rack in street

The short 1:10hr flight found us in the biggest city in China (if not the world), Chongqing. Some 32 million people live in this very modern and glittering city, the bus ride to our hotel was just amazing and our hotel Harbour Plaza is bang smack in the middle of the downtown area. You guessed it after dinner the shoppers set off again and were probably still there when the shops closed at 10pm. Ian and I just had a wander around took in the sights and the sounds before retiring to very comfortable room.

Day 4 The Lonji Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces

March 5, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

With great expectation we boarded our bus for the two-hour bus ride to base of the mountain.

About an hour into the trip we stopped at a Chinese servo for a short break where we sampled fruit from to road side stalls. The apples Ian purchased were the largest and tastiest I have ever eaten.

This was our first toilet ‘Chinese’ style and lets just say it will be forever burned in the memories of those who needed to use the facilities. On arrival at the base of the mountain we transferred to a smaller bus with a driver experienced for the climb up the mountainside.

This ride was exciting to say the least, how do you know if someone coming around the single lane hair pin bend…. honk your horn and gun it… and hope for the best !!!! and with only what seemed like endless hairpin bends and all at 40-60km hour.

At the start of the hiking section we all piled out and we made the fantastic climb to Dragon Backbone’s Rice Terraces is the most amazing terrace in China! Construction of the terraces began in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and continued until the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) when construction was completed. The Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces are the culmination of both the profound wisdom and strenuous labor of the Zhuang people.

Twenty (the whole group) of us started out and twenty of us made it to the top. It was worth every step and I mean steps, it was a constant climb. I wanted to count the steps but need every once of my strength and endurance to get up there. On the way up very kind stall holder who had little english but still offered Sharpy a chair when he stopped for a spell half way up the never ending trail.

After the traditional group picture we headed back down and were lucky enough to see a water buffalo plowing one of the terraces.

Half way down we sampled an authentic Chinese lunch including sticky rice cooked in bamboo and completed our walking section with some serious scarf shopping we climbed aboard our (we hope) trusty little bus for the return journey down the mountain.

If we thought we needed to hang on the ride up the hill it was nothing compared to coming down it felt coming down off the mountain at Bathurst raceway over and over again with the added bonus of oncoming buses, not sure if driver was standing on the brakes or the horn more when diving into the tight little turns.

Tomorrow, we take a 4-hour boat ride down Li River to Yangshuo, as long as there are no steps all will be well. We will be staying at Yangshuo for next two nights.

Day 3 – Fly Guilin and Dinner

March 4, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Things you can find in supermarker

After another great brekkie some of the party took a quick trip to the main island on the star ferry, to say they had been there. Time was short, as we needed to check out and be on the bus by 11am. The rest of us just wandered around the mall near hotel and check email and caught up with other chores

David (Jai) National Guide Wendy Wu

Dragon Air Flight Routes

Our uneventful 70-minute flight on Dragon Air to Guilin on a near empty plane was a nice breather for us all.

On arrival our national and local guide from Wendy Wu tours met us at arrival at the Guilin Airport. Kevin and David, David stays with us the entire time we are in China and Kevin will be our local guide for Guilin. We will have a different local guide for each location.

The bus ride from the airport gave our first glimpse of the real China. We were all excited and looking forward to tour getting underway for real.

We arrived and checked into the hotel by 4.45pm and quickly got our bags to the rooms and set off to dinner in downtown Guilin.

Dinner was more like Chinese from home apart from the snake wine which only the very brave tried but tomorrow we will hit the more traditional food.

The brave had a taste of this

Everyone pretty tired so all had turned in by 8.30pm. Tomorrow we hike to the rice terraces at Longji

Day 2 – Up and at ’em

March 3, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

We started the day with a breakfast to please all. The hotel had a complete buffet breakfast with everything one could possibly want to kick off the day.

Our party grazed their way through the offerings at various times between 6.30am and 9am. Daniel Chang from AWI (Australian Wool Innovations) meet us in the foyer and we piled on the bus for 45 minute ride to the Love +Hope Textile factory.

A lot of these types of manufacturing businesses have been priced out of Hong Kong and have moved to mainland China. This business is considered high-end manufacturing that work with a number of well-known brand names. Their model is one of excellence and high-end manufacturing.

They employ around 60 staff and take garments from end to end. All the growers really enjoyed this visit, it was great to be able to get so close to each stage of the processing and asking lots of questions. Johanna and Ark were very generous with their time and answered all our questions.

After the factory tour we headed back to the hotel for a dim sum lunch. This was fantastic and Brenda from AWI joined us and helped us navigate our way through all the dishes the just kept coming. It was voted a real highlight by all of us.

After lunch we head to the AWI office for a presentation on what Brenda and Daniel do to promote the qualities of wool with manufacturing in mainland China and around the world. They were so enthusiastic and demonstrated a great knowledge of the merino product and showed many innovations they are working on to encourage a greater use of wool in manufacturing.

After a couple hours as guests of AWI Hong Kong we walk a short distance to the Polytechnic University where we were taken right through all the various training rooms. Every graduate of this university has to learn how to use all Legacies & Innovations: Cheongsam Exhibition before it opened to the public, the garments produced by students and staff for this display were not be out of place on any fashion runway in the world.

machinery and technics for using textiles before they graduate. Our AWI host both graduated from this university and are testament to what a good university it is. Students can access the uni 24hours day to work on projects and assignment. Our group was lucky enough to see the garments on display for the

On leaving the university most of the girl

s and a few brave lads set of on a shopping expedition with Brenda, the rest of us skedaddled back to the hotel for a quick kip and tidy up before joining the other a restaurant on the waterfront selected for us by Daniel. About 20 minute walk down past the famous Peninsular Hotel we arrived at the restaurant and the other were ready and waiting.

Fish Swim Bladder and Mushrooms

The laughter and frivolity became. Daniel was charged with the responsibility of ordering beers and dinner.

The ranges of dishes was extensive it included crabmeat balls in toasted almond (dish of the night for me), sharks fin soup (Sharpy had 2 bowls, he could have had another 16 if he wanted), scallops and some unidentifiable shellfish, suckling pig without the pig, just the crackling, steamed whole grouper, fish swim bladder and mushrooms (tried it but awful), rice, red bean soup(dessert, awful) and steamed ~~bums~~ buns with bean paste (they looked like the latter and caused righteous behaviour at both tables).

The interesting fact was that both tables like and dislike the same dishes which just goes to should our palates are all very similar. Daniel was the best host anyone could ask for all on his own time and as he was due to fly to mainland China early the following morning it was so well above and beyond.

Sydney to Hong Kong – Introductions

March 3, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

They came from far and wide with most choosing to stay night near the airport pre-departure. A popup dinner with those staying at Rydges in the Black Wattle grill. For anyone flying our on early am flight this is the best way to do and arrive at check in relaxed and well rested – ‘the best beds’ “Sharpy wanted me to tell Don he had changed his mind and we could pick him up from hotel on the way home, so impressed with the bed was he.

We all got checked in without incident the official tour caps were presented and introductions made, It was great to see we had all points of the compass represented. People quickly got down to the ‘where are your from?’, Do you know…? and ‘Did you get any rain? We headed through security and I don’t think anyone got a ‘Don’t come back’ stamped in passport, so were were off. Frank managed to give his customs guy some homework ‘ Mate, you need to look Nyngan up on the map, it’s really not that far west Orange’ (This is where the customs guy grew up and was educated but he wasn’t sure where Nyngan was)

We straggled through duty free and all arrived at the gate in plenty of time to board flight CX110 departing at 8.35am. Flying time around 9 hours on A330 with seat configuration 2-4-2, we were scattered through one section of the plane but not all sitting together. Shortly after take off a very tasty breakfast of roasted vegetable frittata with bacon and chat potatoes (that was my choice anyway) accompanied by bread roll and yoghurt juice etc. I promptly slept for a couple hours before watching a movie then you guessed another couple of hours snooze. I then decided to watch my second movie for 2014 and settled into Philomena with Dame Judy Dench which was excellent.

Our second meal (we beginning to think was never coming) arrived about hour before we landed. I had the grilled fish mash carrots and green beans which probably nicest in flight meal I have ever eaten. After the crew cleared the cabin we landed is a very foggy Hong Kong, so much for the spectacular view I am told is there on a clear day and to think I wasted a credit with Sharpy to get his window seat, I bet when we fly out and he is back in window seat it will be as clear as a bell.

Our guide Alan met us at the airpot and did a quick tally up of numbers, yes we all made it and all had our bags although Louella’s was looking doubtful for a short while but eventually out it popped.

On the 35 minute bus ride from Lantua Island (where the airport is) to Kowloon and our Hotel, the Harbour Plaza Metropolis. Quick showers all around and we gathered at the hotel shuttle to head to Peninsular Hotel for one drink before heading up Nathan Rd for dinner, we found a funny little place where the locals were all eating and joined them for and took a shot at ordering, the boys mastered getting a beer pretty quickly and Heineken and Tsingtao were the popular choices.
After usual …what would you want …what ever everyone else is wants… (the universal ordering process even at chinese at home) Sharpy took the plunge and ordered for our table (MacWool had 3 tables) the food was good and nothing unrecognisable although heard one table comment they may have drunk the hand washing water in place of their soup. A walk down to Temple St markets, seen on one market seen them all is my take on that but I am not much of a shopper as you all know. Walked back down Nathan Rd caught the shuttle back to our hotel and turned in after long day.

He had a dream…..

August 1, 2012April 6, 2024 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

How is it? Sarah is the only one who
looks the same

A 14-year-old had a dream seven years ago to return to Las Vegas to celebrate his 21st birthday.

They acted the goat
for the whole trip

Who said dreams don’t come true if you keep dreaming. Here we sit waiting for our flight to the so long ago dreamed about celebration.

Charlie is a lot younger and
the parents a lot thinner

Charlie is lucky to have so many of his family and friends making the journey to celebrate his 21st.

To those at home they will not be forgotten with a Skype party to mark the occasion.

Sarah meets Jerry

Boston Maine and on to Niagara Falls

August 3, 2011April 6, 2024 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

On Tuesday 28th July we set off towards Boston after negotiating our way out of NYC. We decided to stay south of Boston and head in to see the sights of Boston.

We stayed at a place called Milford which will always be remembered for ‘The Duck’. We found a little Thai place (Thai Pepper) not far from the hotel, didn’t look much from the outside but it was very nice inside. Ian had the ‘Boston Duck’ which Ian has not stopped talking about since. My pad thai was excellent too but the duck was sensational, apparently. I will never know I couldn’t even get a little taste. Seriously I did get the smallest taste and agree it was very good.

Up early for a short run into Boston after parking we booked on a trolly tour (which included a cruise on the harbour). The tour was really good and we stayed on for the entire nineteen stops so that we could catch the lunchtime cruise on the harbour.

Hard to believe that so much of Boston is built on reclaimed land, the area around the harbour has been really well developed and caters to visitors. We went past Fenway Park where the Red Sox baseball team’s home ground. The trolly driver was really informative. Boston is a very organised and clean city with lots of historical significance for this country.

Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial “Capital of New England” for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. This link show all the trolly stops and what we saw at each stop.

The harbour cruise was very informative and gave us and opportunity to learn about the many historical locations along the foreshore. We were able to see the USS Constitution which is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world’s oldest floating commissioned naval vessel. Launched in 1797. The battle with Guerriere earned her the nickname of “Old Ironsides” and public adoration that has repeatedly saved her from scrapping.

After a not so good lunch (all fried seafood, though the oysters were good) in the oldest restaurant in USA.

The Union Oyster House was established in 1826 and has been retained in its original state. Although the food was to our liking the trip back in time was worth the time. Union Street was laid out in 1636, but there are no municipal records documenting the Oyster House’s date of construction. All that is known is that the building has stood on Union Street as a major local landmark for more than 250 years.

After lunch we headed for Portland Maine, we decided that we would only have the one night here so that we could spend two days at Niagara.

After checking in to our hotel we headed up to Two Lights which is reported to be a must see spot as well as check out the Lobster Shack. We decided to head back to town for dinner at the Old Port Sea Grill and thoroughly enjoyed our seafood platter.

Tomorrow we are setting off on our longest drive in a day this trip. We plan to be in Buffalo New York by tomorrow night. States visited along the way Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York 556 miles in 8 hours including three short stops.

Day 2 New York

July 31, 2011April 6, 2024 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

We got up early again and after breakfast we set out to walk to central park. Down Fifth Ave with a stop in at the Trump Tower, hard to believe that this is or was owned by one man.

Before we arrived at Central Park we dropped in at the Apple store which was under wraps. So many people and so much beautiful technology in one place.

When we arrived at the entrance near
Fifth Ave and organised a carriage ride through the Park. Our Irish driver (most of the carriages are Irish owned) has been in New York for 11 years. This was fun and gave us a small insight to the park and some of the things happening in the park. It was good weather and a lot cooler than the previous day. After we tipped our driver we set off on a long walk through the park, there is so much to see and there was no hope of us seeing it all. We did get to see
the Zoo and many off the sights at the Downtown end of town.

How big is Central Park?

Our Irish Carriage Driver

843 acres or 6% of Manhattan’s total acreage, including:
150 acres in 7 waterbodies
250 acres of lawns
136 acres of woodlands

How many playgrounds are there in Central Park and where are they?
There are 21 playgrounds scattered throughout the entire park.

Where is…?

Horse park himself like this
on command

Balto – East 67th Street near the East Drive
Alice in Wonderland – 75th Street just north of Conservatory Water
Hans Christian Andersen – 74th Street just west of Conservatory Water
The Obelisk (Cleopatra’s Needle) – 81st Street behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art

There also are 48 other fountains, monuments, and sculptures in Central Park.

How many trees are there in Central Park?
24,000, including 1,700 American Elms.

How many benches are there in Central Park?
Over 9,000, which would stretch 7 miles if placed end to end.

How many bridges and arches are there in Central Park?
36

How many species of birds are there in Central Park?
More than 275 species of migratory birds have been sighted in the Park, a major stopping point on the Atlantic flyway.

How many fountains are there in Central Park?

Gazebo in used in Home Alone 2

There are seven ornamental fountains and approximately 150 drinking fountains. The ornamental fountains are:

Angel of the Waters at Bethesda Terrace
Burnett Fountain at Conservatory Garden’s English garden to the south
Conservatory Garden’s Italian garden in the center
Untermyer Fountain at Conservatory Garden’s French garden to the north
Cherry Hill
Sophie Loeb Fountain
Pulitzer Fountain at Grand Army Plaza

Central Park Zoo

After the park we headed back downtown with a stop off for lunch at John’s Pizzeria. The pizza was the best I’ve eaten, the base was just perfect and we had the John’s Pizza (cheese and John’s special tomato sauce) with added pepperoni and black olives. Did I mention it was huge but oh so yummy?

We continued to stroll back towards the hotel walking off our lunch there is so much to see but the best part is just experiencing the sites and sounds of such a busy place. We headed back to the hotel around 4 for a rest and catch up on email and calls home etc.

We decide we would have Korean BBQ for dinner, there were plenty in the same street as our hotel to choose from. In the end we settled on Wonjo. The BBQ meat (BBQ at our table) was really good and the accompanying sides were fun to try and we liked everything they dished up. The meal was finished with the sweetest orange I have ever eaten.