Gemma's birthday (September 2014)

Mike and Marilyn arrived in early September, spending a week with us for Gemma's birthday. We began their visit with a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass).

View of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge from DUMBO:

Grimaldi's Pizzeria. A famous spot but the pizza and atmosphere weren't no.1 in our view.

The 'must-eat' prime rib beef sandwich from Eataly...the start of a meaty birthday!

Getting ready for drinks and Gemma's birthday meal.

Outdoor bar in Bryant Park:

 

We had a reservation at Keens Steakhouse. Keens dates back to 1885 and is known for a few of things in particular - the clay pipes, the porterhouse steak and the mutton chop.

Keens Steakhouse has the largest collection of churchwarden pipes in the world. The tradition of checking your pipe at the inn has its origins in 17th century Merrie Old England where travelers kept their clay at their favorite inn – the thin stemmed pipe being too fragile to be carried in purse or saddlebag. The restaurant has over 90,000 pipes now - most lining the ceiling...

 

...but more famous ones (signed by presidents and celebrities) are kept in display cases.

We shared the thick cut bacon starter but the stars of the show were the porterhouse steak and mutton chop. They were the best we have ever had!

 

 

As it was a special night we visited the Empire State Building, taking the elevator to both the 86th and 102nd floor decks. When we got to the 102nd floor, which is thankfully enclosed, we got to watch a big storm roll over from New Jersey, across Manhattan and into Long Island.

Walking through Central Park.

On 9/11 we took the Staten Island ferry late at night. We didn't realize until we saw it but on 9/11 they light up the sky with a special memorial display of high-power lights. We also had a police escort (see bottom right corner).

Bermuda - Part 2 of 2 (August 2014)

Thankfully Hurricane Cristobal moved away from it's trajectory towards us, and took the bad weather with it! We took the bus to the Naval Dockyard at the west-end of the island.

 

Another fish sandwich!

The dockyard has some lovely old buildings.

It is home to the Bermuda Rum Cake Company.

Example of some artfully designed currency inside the Commissioner's House.

This was our local ferry dock.

With the better weather we took some snaps from the garden, looking back at the guesthouse.

This is the view from the B&B dining room.

Horseshoe Bay beach with its pink sand:

 

In the garden of the guesthouse we were directed to a flower that blossoms only once a year at night. It is much bigger than the picture suggests, about 8 inches wide.

Championship Par 3 course at the Fairmont Southamption.

Notice how windy it was!

We found a small secluded spot to snorkel and explore, called Spanish Point.

There is a wreck of a large boat across the mouth of the bay.

Back in the capital, Hamilton. On the right is the iconic Bird Cage, where police offers occasionally stand and direct the traffic.

More Bermuda shorts:

As we couldn't fit everything into our first trip to the Dockyard, we had to return.

This is the Frog & Onion pub.

Famed for it's traditional curried mussel pie, which was really good as it happens.

As the sun was setting we played the mini-golf course. All 18 holes are recreations of famous holes around the world, e.g. St Andrews, Sawgrass, etc...

 

 

 

The Botanical Gardens.

 

The Gardens housed a small local art and history museum.

Lounging at the B&B's pool, which was surrounded by tropical fruit plants.

Maverick looking on as Gemma prepares dinner.

On our last full day we got the ferry into Hamilton to watch the Gombey dancers perform a traditional dance in one of the city parks.

We had lunch in a café that was full of locals. As soon as Gemma saw this sandwich covered in gravy she had to have one.

Followed by coconut and egg custard tart. Bermuda is British territory after all!

At our last breakfast in the guesthouse:

The owner of the guesthouse knocking up his special frittata.

Then back to New York.