We always come here for a stroll, drink or meal. This is the main drag of South Beach, and the heart and soul of Miami Beach. The west side of north to south one directional traffic is jammed with nightlife spots, entertainment, restaurants, shops, and cafes. Touristy yes but crowds fuel the businesses and make the strip alive.
John F. Kennedy International Airport is big but not the busiest (#6), located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Jamaica Bay, in New York City’s Queens. More than 90 airlines operate from here; home for American Airlines and Delta as well as the primary operating base for JetBlue.
It was named New York International Airport in 1948 initially and renamed to JFK after his assassination in 1963.
It has not been my favorite, but in 1986 when I first landed there, I felt for it and New York. So it’s a hard to disparaging it. And most of my comparisons are made with JFK.
One late night or early morning, I went to the bathroom after getting off the plane in JFK. The floor was layered with bathroom tissues… I couldn’t forget this scene.
Terminal 4 is in the International Arrivals Building. After the $1.03 billion redevelopment, it opened on May 24, 2001, under Governor George E. Pataki. Nearly a quarter of a century old, it certainly shows it.
We were bused to the Uber lot – wondering why didn’t I just take a cab instead becasue the ride was pretty long.
This time, we’ve their Beijing/Peking Duck – it’s ok.
One elderly family memeber in our small party asked for extra thin crepe that warps the duck, when there is hardly any ducks left. I was going to stop it but felt since I’m hosting, let it be. When the bill came, there is $5 charge for the extra crepe.
I’m actually on the restaurant side. Many dinners ask for extra rice, bread, iced tea for the road, … you name it, regardless if they really needed, and expect free of charge. Most times, these items are free.
LaGuardia Airport
Q4GG+M8 East Elmhurst, Queens, NY
LGA was opened in 1939, named after Fiorello La Guardia (1882-1947), an attorney and politician, best known as the 99th mayor of New York City, serving from 1934 to 46.
LaGuardia Airport’s story began with an outburst from its namesake. New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia was indignant seeing his TWA flight to New York land in New Jersey, at the time home to the region’s only commercial airport. Thus began the effort to give New York its own airport, embodying the resilience and determination of the city that never sleeps.
Fast forward to 2014, Vice President Joe Biden said it looks like a third-world country airport. Soon, an $8 billion renovation and update was underway.
Terminal B opened in phases, from 2018 to completing it in July 2022, a month after Terminal C (Delta only).
The billions spent, indeed transformed this once the third-world airport into a modern, pleasant, and easy-to-use port, with the view of city skyline: unfortunately it’s a cloudy day.
Many lounges live here: Canadian, American, United, Chase, Amex Centurion, etc.
To JFK: don’t say that New York doesn’t have an airport express train. We certainly do: $8 fare for a total of 8.1 miles. It feels more like the tram between terminals in an airport than a viable transportation to an airport with a schedule and guaranteed time.
Where it is?
Jamaica.
Where is Jamaica?
May well be in the Caribbeans.
What trains or subway lines go to Jamaica Station?
LIRR Port Washington and Long Beach lines; and subway E, J and Z lines.
How effective it is?
We live without it. Most people don’t know it. We have been living well without it. A piece of nothing.
Today, I tried it, so I can blog here, legitimately. My journey to JFK cost $22.25:
Any one would like to try the route to JFK? NOT ME. Neither Penn Station nor Grand Central have direct trains go to Jamaica Station in Queens. So, it is a piece of nothing.
One of many companies or individuals use a work place. A receptionist sits by the entrance and direct the traffic: “I’ll let them know that you’re here.” I know long before the internet, many Chinese companies were sharing an office in a prestigious building, such as WTC the World Trade Center.
What A night! Joshua Bell played two pieces, with the dynamic new conductor Jonathon Heyward (like a 🕺 dance … not sure if he does yoga ). Beethoven capped the night. The audience is very appreciative and gave resounding applauses – no encore thou.
Both Bell and Heyward gave short speeches. It’s Bell’s mother’s 87th birthday, sweet – his mom and sister Rachel were in the audience too.
Heyward is an American conductor since 2016. Growing up in South Carolina and trained as a cellist and chamber musician. His parents are not in the musical field. He’s very pleasant to watch. Would like to see more of him. He definitely hit off with us, the tough New York crowd.
This small island of 14 acres in New York harbor, at the southern tip of Manhattan. It’s world famous for its celebrated resident, the Lady Liberty. The statue can be seen from many places in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
I’ve been to the island in 1994 successfully and in 2017 unsuccessfully due to purchasing the wrong tickets at the site. This time, I used online agent from City Experience, which seems the official operator that takes you onto the island. The ferry is next to Castle Clinton at the tip of Manhattan.
It was known as Bedloe’s Island in the past. The famous resident Lady Liberty – the Statue of Liberty (a gift from French) was designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904), and the metal frame was done by Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923) … yes, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was his work too.
The island is pleasant to walk. During our visit, the statue is closed for renovation. There are cafes and a museum – Statue of Liberty Museum was opened in 2019, is free to visit.
Statue of Liberty Museum – more pix on Google Maps
A nice little museum that is free, if you can get yourself onto the island.
