Travel Notes - Vermont Massachusetts New York

Travel Notes - Vermont Massachusetts New York: I flew a mixed ticket (JB/SW) to Albany for $227. JB's crew was late arriving and I almost missed the 12am closing time for Hertz. I rented a Kia K4 for $302 for the week. Received a brand new Toyota RAV 4. 9 miles! The return flight on SW was flawless. One page online check in. Kiosk print it out. Nice plane. No baggage hassling. Better class of customer. I had avoided them for years. No longer. The even fly out of a better terminal here. Only issues were no seat back entertainment and no boarding pass download. I stayed the first night near the airport at the Baymont (Expedia 5.8) for $76 because they had a free shuttle. I originally booked here because I thought we might be late because of weather and was getting ahead of cosmic mischief (not getting the rental car).

The next day I drove 66 mi on 7E to 9E to 100N at Wilmington. I stayed at the Hideaway Inn (Expedia 8.6) at Mt Snow in Dover for two nights at $202. Didn't love the self check in, robo-staff, room location and oppressive heat. I drove to the ticket office to buy a ticket for Mt Snow. They closed that office, so, I drove to the one area still open (Carinthia) and let them rip me off for a ticket two days later at $149. I drove fifteen miles to Stratton Mountain and bought a lift ticket for the next day at $80. Came back and rented skis ($70 at the resorts) from the one guy still renting (World Class) for $50 a day. I bought some wine at Black Diamond Spirits for $34. Most things were closed until summer. I drove back to Wilmington for cheese and crackers and a whole smoked chicken at River Valley Market for $27. Not many hotels around Stratton.

The next day I drove to Stratton and skied. Back to Dover and bought some salami, english muffins and mini pies at 7-11 for $9 to add to the leftovers. Lunched outside. Watched the Masters.

The next day I skied Mt Snow. A pathetic six trails open. One lift. And this is the bitch part of the resort. Returned the skis. Drove 9W to Bennington and 7S to Lenox MA. I stayed at a Howard Johnson's (Expedia 7.6) for $88. Drove the Main St through Pittsfield. Bought wine and brie and hommos at Guido's Fresh Marketplace for $25. Bought hamburger meat (nuked it in the microwave in a coffee cup) and crackers at Price Chopper for $7. Watched the Masters.

The next day I drove to 9D in NY through Red Hook, Rhinebeck and Hyde Park. Went to the Vanderbilt Mansion NHS. I had already been to most of sites including FDR sites. Ate an ok turkey club with fries for $21 at Eveready Diner (3D). I stayed at the Red Roof Inn Plus (Expedia 6.6) halfway house in Poughkeepsie for $95. I'm still high. Drove to Wappinger Falls (10 miles) and saw the Hudson Valley Renegades play for $21 and $10 parking. First row/home plate. Stayed the whole game! Received a free hat! Drove back. Bought surimi and shrimp salad and empanadas at Shop Rite. Watched the movies. FYI - This was the last of the agenda. I was just filling time after this.

The next day I drove north through Marist University and Culinary Institute of America. Their restaurants (American Bounty, The Bocuse, Caterina di Medici, Apple Pie Bakery, The Tavern and Al Forno) weren't open Sunday morning. I stopped at a sake brewery (Dassai Blue) having a festival. It wasn't open for another hour. I tried to find a winery from a sign called Clinton. Didn't. I learned it was out of business. Found one (street sign) called Milea Estate Vineyard in Staatsburg. Wasn't open for an hour. I stopped in Rhinebeck for some dumb house called Wilderstein. It wasn't open until May. Hopped the gate. Back in town, I had a shrimp salad sandwich at Matchbox Cafe for $25. Tried to eat at a diner in Red Hook. No parking. Saw the first public school in NY in Clermont. Followed 9N (there are many alternates). Saw Union College in Schenectady. Through Albany to Sarasota Springs. Took 9D to Lake George. Stayed at the Fort Willian Henry Hotel for $112 plus $20 RF (negotiated rack rate). Greatest view. Bought goat cheese, bologna and cashews at Price Chopper for $13. Two bottles of wine at Duffy's Liquors for $31. Watched the Masters and the view.

The next day I drove 9S through Glen Falls (Harding Mazzotti Arena) to Sarasota Springs. Saw Skidmore College. Stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn (Expedia 8.0) for $105. Grabbed so-so corned beef sandwich (tough) and very good matzoh ball soup at the Broadway Deli for $24. Most places were closed on Monday. Watched tv. Grabbed a meatball sub combo from Subway for $10 because it was the closest walk from the hotel. Yes, I had been to the track. No, I didn't try the springs.

The next day I grabbed cauliflower soup with bread for $6 at Mrs London. Egg and cheese panini at Putnam Market for $7. Most places hadn't opened yet. Drove 9S to Albany/Latham. Was there way too early, so, grabbed a chicken salad sandwich at Metro 7 Diner for $11. Returned car.

Gas was around $4. Most places were empty. It was a joy driving around on non-interstates. 30 degrees when I landed. 80 when I left. Did this instead of Colorado because of cost and I am always saying I am going to ski these places. These were closest and still open. I bypassed all the breweries. Spent $698 in hotels. $61 in gas. $333 on skiing. $21 on games/parking. $121 on airport parking. $263 on food and bev. $21 on misc. Total of $2047. Skiing is a budget buster.

Grub/Pub Crawl - Mills and East Colonial: Lorelei and Grumpy's

I tried these spots around Mills and East Colonial last night at dinner. The first is a year old wine bar with some food behind Tori Tori on N Thornton. It has been open for a year. The second is near Tako Cheena. Plan A was Raine's Pizza (sold out) and a new ramen+ place by the Executive Airport on 50 that turned out to be just a new branch of a previously sampled concern on Red Bug Lake (Tsaocca). 

Lorelei - I grabbed one of the four flatbreads (fig, duck prosciutto, goat cheese, arugula and balsamic) for $20 though I disdain the concept. The rest of the offerings were salads or finger foods. It was the best flatbread I have ever had. I'm not sure if it was kitchen kizmet or talent, but, the bread was 95% perfectly crusty (one soggy circle). Not stale. Thin. Cut into sixths. The toppings were nice. Not much goat cheese or prosciutto. Came on a cutting board. Came out fast. The wine list wasn't me too. Glasses started at $14. Bottles at $60. It has ambitions. The place looks really pleasing. Kind of a Italian lakes or Riviera vibe. White! Marble counter tops. Gold accents. Grecian/Roman statuary. Copper terrines. Wine as decoration. Most tables (12) on the patio in front. The indoor bar area with side room. There was some street parking available. I believe they are closed on Monday. Mostly pm. I think day time on the weekends. Not a value play, but, elegant without being pretentious. For the vibe, I think it'll be a Favorite come year's end. Owned by the Death in the Afternoon people.

Grumpy's Underground - Dive-y. Been around for since 2018 according to the internet. Two rooms. LMGA sign above the left door. Some food like wings. Live music. Karaoke. Parking is impossible. You can pass.

Lima 1535, Orlando

Oh Jesus, I think I put the receipt with the notes in my car while I took the other one with me. This is a typical Peruvian concern in the strip mall at Goldenrod and Lake Underhill (aside 408 near 436). It used to have Meatball Stoppe. I had the calamari on Tuesday at late lunch for $16 because the menu looked unispiring, only had a qr menu and was overly expensive. Plus I began with prejudice because they open at 3pm. Why? They read their clientele well because one person was there at 3pm. I believe the skinny cut squid was nuked. No glossy oil. Too hot. Came out too quickly. Tough. They tossed in three very hot and greasy yucca croquettas. Added a to go surcharge. Two sauces. Hot and tartar. Typical menu. Most over $20. Thirty, low end tables. White, gray, black with individual walls in orange and blue. One area with sign over turf wall. Bar in back. Ten seats. Light gray tile floors. Steel fish objects. Turf wall. Two idiots. Weak on English. I knew this was going to be the outcome. Not awful, but, why? And I used to prefer/champion Peruvian cuisine.. They way over estimate their value. You understand that you are just slightly above Tex-Mex? Tiradito? Guess not. Open for a few months. Closed on Monday. I think they close at 8pm.

Grub Crawl - Longwood and Winter Springs: Siziling Grill, Indian Express, Rangoli Sweets, The Human Bean, Taiwan Cafe, La Pino'z Pizza

I tried these spots on 434 Saturday at lunch. All to go. The first two are in the strip mall between I4 and Ronald Reagan that I just brought to you. It has Three Odd Guys Brewing. Look for a Huey Magoos out front. The next two are in a strip mall past 17-92 across from a Taco Bell. Look for Victorio's. The fourth is in a strip mall back closer to 17-92. It had Chilanago's (closed). The last is back past the first two places on the way to I4. It was Max & Meme's. I had only planned on doing three of these. The others just revealed themselves.

Siziling Grill Bistro - I saw a placard they put on the road. It opened this week. Their calling card is an AYCE breakfast buffet. I ordered something that might last a few days in the fridge and was hard to screw up. I had the chicken quesadilla for $12. Stuffed with chicken. Didn't love that they use cheddar. Some peppers and onions. Sour cream and a chipotle salsa. Basic. Came with fries. The menu is all over the place. Mostly American. Burgers, sandwiches, apps, salads, burritos, etc. And three steaks, grouper, lobster tail, catfish and pork chops. This didn't seem like a places for those. But, I could be wrong. High water mark is $35. One page breakfast menu. It is a large space on the corner. Maybe thirty tables and booths. Drab. Brown/beige. No one there. Two guys working. Open all day. I think this space was a restaurant before. They told me the Pho place next door has a new owner and menu. Same name. This whole strip mall has turned over. FYI - that is their spelling.

Indian Express - The first surprise. I threw this one in my route because I read the night before that it had just opened. I thought it would be low end buffet dining. The exterior remains unimpressive. However, the interior is appealing. They tore out the booths and opened up the floor plan from Uno Mas. A tasteful redesign. White, soft gray and maybe green. Some decorative, scenic painting on the walls Around twenty tables. Modern. I think the seats were an earth tone. I was speaking too much to the hostess/owner. They may have done away with the patio. About half full. Closed between lunch and dinner service. The parents had run Kohinoor in Altamonte. Had had a place in the strip mall with the Walmart near Lark Mary Blvd and 17-92. Never saw that. I tried the lunch portion of Chicken Vindaloo for $13. It came with naan and rice. Nice packaging. Six cubes of chicken and 1 1/2 of potato. The size of that die for betting in backgammon. White meat. No bones. The sauce was red chili based. Also had a hint of black pepper. Oily. The rice was good. The naan was ok. The menu is pretty traditional. Veg, tanoori, biryani, shrimp, lamb, apps. The most expensive thing is $20. Naan starts at $4. For value and flavor and environment, it will be a Favorite. I have been saddened to see the post Bayridge Sushi occupants go (F&D and Uno Mas). They were also the best things in the area. Hopefully, this iteration will last.

Rangoli Sweets - Also Indian. I thought it was Italian the one time I swung by. I believe it was (or I assumed) closed. They have a large selection of baked sweets. Mostly packaged in a refrigerator. Also a huge menu on the wall that the guy there had problems explaining in English. I believe alot of it is non-sweets. He pointed me to a five item daily special menu. I selected the samosa aloo for $7 because I thought it was potato samosas. It was a whole dish of chick peas, onion and potato and masala (sweet and spicy tamarind I believe) with empty split samosa shells. Delicious! The best thing I had in this whole food extravaganza. A deconstructed samosa. Probably what they do with leftovers. Crack 'em in half. Still good. The place is in the right corner of the strip mall. It has a dark window. The open sign wasn't on. Small, narrow space. No tables. Two guys came in when I was there. They said it has been there for years. Great find. And I guess if I wrote that it was the best thing I ate all day, it has to be a Favorite as well. Now I have to go back and get educated on Indian sweets.

The Human Bean - Opened in January. A chain from Oregon. A stand alone hut in the middle of the parking lot. Drive thru or walk up. I had a terrible bagel with cc for $4. They just throw a plastic cup of cc into the bag with a Lender's quality bagel. They do icees, smoothies, energy drinks, espresso, coffee and tea. A breakfast sandwich line up like Dunkin. Warmed in an oven/toaster. Two other customers while I was there.

Taiwan Cafe - The impetus for the journey and the greatest disappointment. Basically a to go joint with a fancy backsplash. The menu is straight up Chinese take out. No Taiwanese elements that I could observe. I want to make a forward looking geo-political joke here, but, it may come back and bite me in the ass if I ever travel to China again. You know what I'm saying though. I, idiotically, ordered something I thought would go with white wine better tha Indian food at dinner. The $10 lunch special of scallops in garlic sauce. Then I realized that seafood isn't the greatest thing to let sit until dinner time. Six frozen bay scallops. With preservative taste. Mushy broccoli, carrot, celery, baby corn, water chestnut and that floppy mushroom I can't remember the name of. That was actually a nice surprise. Better than the usual mushroom. I never order garlic sauce. Is it always a sweet, dark brown sauce? I thought tan and salty. It came with alot of low soy, egg fried rice. I couldn't tell how oily. I think the wok wasn't hot enough and it soaked in. Also the basic, almost empty, cheap cabbage egg roll. As I said, the menu is typical. I swear there is a place that changes the heading and prints the same menu out for all these places. Four large booths against the left wall. One large one in an alcove on the right. Dark. Red brick. Wood. TV playing music with sub-titles. I think the one cashier/waitress was using to learn English. Two people ordered take out while I was there. Open for under a month. Closed on Monday. You don't need to concern yourself.

La Pino'z Pizza - A worldwide chain with over 700 locations they said. The guy said he had owned Max & Meme for it's last two years. From Pennsylvania. He moved here and changed brands. This is fast food with an Indian vibe. Pizza, tacos (folded pizza without cheese), bread sticks, stuffed garlic bread, pasta, mac & cheese, brownies and wings. I chose the eight wings for $12 because I'm not into this level of pizza and certainly not an Indian version of it. I can't wrap my head/taste buds around Indo-Italian. Yet. The wings were ok. Small. Too many drums for me. The taste was crazy though. Just like McNuggets. Very fried. They said they coat them or not. I did without. I also didn't have them toss them in sauce. I think it defeats the purpose of crispy skin. The peri peri sauce I got on the side was creamy. It looked weird. I tossed it. The place looks like an already old fast food loacation. Around twenty tables. Spartan. Open for three days. I was the only one there. They didn't itemize the receipt and either the price is listed wrong or they add surcharges.

Travel Notes - Fiji and Samoa

Travel Notes - Fiji and Samoa: I broke up my flight segments after last year's fiasco. I flew Frontier to Dallas for $109. I believe Fiji's combo with AA adds $300+. I flew Fiji Air to Nadi for $648. These were about as cheap as I have seen. No issues (this time) there or back except a thirty minute wait at MCO for the moron to attach the jet way door. In Dallas I purchased a RT to Samoa for $385. It actually dropped from weeks and days before. I almost did Tonga. The times and costs didn't line up as well. I now have a whole list of places (that I will write about later) that you can visit from Fiji. Subway Club at DFW for $17. I took a room near the airport at the Airport Ace Hotel (Expedia 7.0) for two nights at $93 because it was cheap and near the airport for my trip to Samoa. That was when I thought I was leaving in two days. They let me in at 5am. I'm not sure if it was because I told them I was leaving after one day. I just ate snacks I had brought from here. FYI - I had to declare them. They didn't seem be bothered by tuna or pepperoni or chips. I also bring packages of mayo and mustard. There was little need. There were enough markets, etc in both countries. I also got fed on the planes. Went for a swim. Walked a couple of miles towards Nadi. Saw the National University and Namaka Market. Went back to the airport for water. Watched the one (Aussie) tv channel. It was pretty hot. Around 90+. It is the end of the rainy season. It rained at dusk. No TSA worries at any of the airports. 14 hour flight. You land two days later. Customs in Fiji and Samoa took minutes. On the return to the US it took three minutes. Had to go through TSA again. I gave myself three hours cushion there and four on the return. 

The next day I took a two hour 10am flight to Apia on Upolu (there is also Savaii). My ATM card didn't work at the ATMs. I converted $70 at the currency desk. They gave me a rate of 2.66 with no fee. The rate was 2.7 when I left. Best deal I've ever seen at one of these (usual) rip off joints. The taxi rate is now 80. Not 60. Iran? It takes 45 minutes. I stayed at the Tauese Sea View Hotel (Expedia 8.4) because it was dead center on the main street and they offered a free Cantonese breakfast. I walked around the cove and through the Samoa China Friendship Park. The Chinese are doing all the investment here. The imposing Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was next door. I walked passed the McDonald's to the Lucky Foodtown Market. They had choices. I just grabbed the two local beer choices and a soda for 10. It started to rain. It had been cloudier here. I watched their seven tv stations. Mostly religious ones and a Disney one. 

The next day I was awakened by hymns at 5am. Palm Sunday practice. I guess. I had the buffet. Mostly western stuff and fried rice, congee and broccoli in bean sauce. I went to the tourist office and bought a magnet at Janet's. Back to the market for one more beer, tuna and Doritos for 20. The taxis took most of my funds. I walked past the port to a beach I saw on a map (Vaiala) at the hotel. The guy at the tourist office said you couldn't swim there. It seemed like you could. But, I wasn't in my swim trunks because of his advice. I waded. I contemplated taking some shells. I chickened out. That was actually the highlight. Back to the room. Watched tv. The wifi didn't work. Had to use their office computer to check in for my return flight. It was cloudy again.

The next day I was awakened by music again. Ate the buffet again. Noodles, steamed bubs and broccoli again. Watched tv until check out at 11:30am. Most things are closed on Sunday. Took their shuttle (better than the open cab) to the airport for 60. They (and a cabbie I met the day before) told me a taxi is 80 back as well. They won't check in (except for long haul) until three hours before. And then I think I waited until 2pm before they let us through customs into the air conditioned area. Their airport is less advanced. The flight was an hour late leaving. This screwed up my night. In Nadi, I successfully withdrew 60. A cab was supposed to be 20. The Indian shylock I chose wanted 25 and then claimed no change when I paid. It cost 30. The exchange rate here was 2.2. It was a five mile plus ride that I thought I could walk if I had ATM issues again. Would have been rough. It is a beach area (Wiloaloa Beach). I stayed at the Aquarius on the Beach Hotel (Expedia 7.8) between a Ramada and a Wyndham. It was really more of a house. Lots of noise. But, a great ocean view balcony. Two nights cost $190. It was dark by the time I got settled. Mostly issues with the room like the tv. They also claim satellite tv. Nope. Just nine crummy channels from an antenna. I walked to the True Market I had read about down the block. It had a good selection. I bought Australian wine and water for 17 with my credit card. Upstairs was a great. Multi-cuisine restaurant called Olive Tree. Drank the wine with the Doritos from Samoa. Watched the fire dance at the Ramada from the balcony. Walked the beach. It was black sand and all these white shells upon it sparkled at night.

The next day I was awakened at 6am by their staff noise. I took a walk to the far end of the beach around 10am. Went for a short swim. It was eerie. No one else was going in. They said it was fine. It was too hot and shallow anyway. Swam in the pool. Took a Matthew McConaughey book from the book swap area (few in English). Read a bit. Went to the market and Olive Tree. Bought Australian wine, one local beer and pineapple soda for 20. At OT, I bought a shitty pizza and good fried chicken strips with great fries and a curry sauce for 33. Started drinking before sunset because I was bored because I had stayed in my room to long because I was too burnt from my morning walk. Videoed the sunset. It got packed on the beach. I'm not sure if they were away on day tours or show up for the sunset. One hotel brought out horses to ride. Back to the balcony and drank the rest of the wine with the chicken and half the pizza. The weather was clear both days.

The next day they woke me up again. I did a mini walk. They tossed my out at 10am. Had them call me a cab. Only 20 this time. Arrived at the airport and twiddled my thumbs and read until 9pm take off. Had a Whopper Jr before customs for 10. A double cb combo on the other side for 21. The return flight (12 hours) was a bit more crowded. I smartly asked if I could change seats and got farther up. Fiji makes you pay for seat selection online. Lands on the same day. Brisket and soda at Sonny Bryan's at DFW for $18

The trip ended up better than I expected. I also justified the miss last year by doing two countries. I will go back next year and do Tonga or Vanuatu. And back each year until I do all the Fiji connection possibilities (if they turn out to be reasonable). They fly to Tuvalu, Kitibati, Kiritati Atoll, Solomon Islands as well. Never heard of some of those. I believe the shit times are because they wait for planes from NZ and AUS transfers. They had many flights to there (as well as Quantas and Air NZ). Fiji has many islands as well. The next biggest is Vita Latu. I was on Vanua Leva. They film Survivor on the Mamanuka Islands (Mana and Malolo). Castaway was shot on Manu Riki. There are boats that go there. Not too far. I believe they leave from Port Denarau just south of my hotel. The airport and the islands are on the northwest side. I'm not sure what there is to do in Fiji. I saw flyers for mud baths, Orchid temple, gun site, sands, sky diving, scuba, etc. It looks like Hawaii. The people in both places were nice. Most spoke English. Fiji had an Indian presence. They ran most things. There were buses. You could rent a car. It was less of a hassle not booking a combo air ticket. I had issues checking in online with Fiji last year. The American segment screwed that up for some reason. And they were the only ones who didn't refund me. And they caused the missed flight!

I spent $459 on hotels. $128 on parking. Around $95 on food and bev ($37 was in our stupid airports). $72 on taxis. $11 on magnets. $1140 on air. Total of $1905. No visas, pre-flight forms, psuedo visas or shots. They had out entry forms on the planes. No forms returning. Now I am getting a bit jaded and most places on this Earth look the same as other places that are closer to you. This could have been the Caribbean or Hawaii or Mexico and it would look and feel almost the same. Yet, it isn't as daunting as you would think. I bought really well airline wise. Those rates will probably be higher for you. Did this trip change me life? No. Did I do all I could to make it so. No. Next year I'll add some fun excursions and see if makes a difference.