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Working in travel I often come across people who want to know where the best place to holiday/honeymoon in the Indian Ocean is because they’re all the same and the only difference is price, right? Wrong. Three of the most popular destinations to travel to from the UK are Mauritius, the Maldives...
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Escape London: An afternoon picnic in Sevenoaks
Escape date: 12/08/12
Location: Emmett's Garden, Sevenoaks, Kent, UK
I'm currently reading Papillon on my Kindle so I'm thinking a lot about escapes at the moment. Living in a garden-less flat in Lewisham with irritating neighbours either side means there's not much opportunity to enjoy the outdoors on the rare occasion the sun decides to show up for the day. Even scarcer than a day of pleasant weather in England is for this to occur during a weekend. These opportunities must be seized and cherished.
In preparation, every Thursday throughout the summer, poised at my laptop and checking the BBC weather forecast hourly, I make plans for the weekend, should I be so lucky as to experience this rare phenomenon of sunshine.
Two weeks ago, I struck gold. The forecast for the whole weekend was good, and with London being so crowded with all the Olympic shenanigans, I decided the best option would be to head out of the city for the day. What better way to spend a warm summer's aftenoon than with your loved one lying in a meadow with a good book and a home made picnic? Half an hour of internet research later, the location had been decided.
Emmetts Garden: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/emmetts-garden/
Emmetts Garden is approximately a half hour drive from South East London so perfect for those who don't want to spend hours sat in a hot car to find somewhere quiet to visit. The ladies on the entrance desk were friendly and informative, arming us with maps and advice on what to see. Entrance for the day cost £6.90 per adult.
The gardens were very peaceful for a Sunday in August, with most people seemed to be gathered around the pretty cafe area. After a quick stroll through the colourful rose garden, we set up our picnic in the designated meadow area. This area also features a little wooden cabin where visitors can borrow deck chairs, picnic blankets and children's games - a lovely touch.
Sprawled out across our blanket I took out the food I had spent the morning preparing for two hours in a stuffy kitchen; Jamie Oliver recipe sausage rolls, sandwiches, some salads and fairy cakes for pudding. In that setting, looking out across the hills of the Kent countryside, witht the summer breeze in my hair, it couldn't have tasted better. A wonderfully relaxing afternoon, I can highly recommend a visit to Emmetts Garden for a tranquil summer afternoon.
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Five reasons why I believe the Maldives is a perfect honeymoon destination:
The weather. Despite it technically being 'rainy season' (which meant prices were cheaper!) we had two occasions where it rained, both times at night so it didn't really have an effect on us. The daytime temperature was always around 30 degrees, with sunshine and clear skies.
The islands. One hotel to one island. That's how it works in the Maldives, giving you the impression that you're in your own private little world out in the middle of the ocean. Tres romantic.
The ocean. I've never been anywhere as beautiful as the Indian Ocean. It's like stepping into a massive warm bath, with crystal clear water and powdery white, soft, sandy beaches that dreams are made of. An absolute joy for fans of snorkelling and diving. Really the Caribbean just doesn't and can't compare.
The accommodation. Rustic villas on the beach with hammocks and private sun loungers, or spacious villas perched over the waters of the ocean, you can take your pick here.
The staff. Maldivians I have encountered are such lovely, warm, friendly people, who go above and beyond to help you, always with a smile on their faces.
Now you've read why you should go...coming soon...some tips on how to get the best deal on your Maldivian honeymoon!
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So where I have been the past few months? All over the place, actually.
In June I got married in Sicily (to a fellow Londoner not an Italian) in beautiful Taormina. Whilst the whole process of arranging a wedding abroad wasn't without it's problems, I had an incredible day.
Some highlights (and lowlights) of an unforgettable week included:
Driving around in circles for hours, on crumbling country roads at midnight on the day of arrival looking for our villa in total darkness. We had a sat nav, it was useless.
The remote control for the air conditioning in the villa, which went 'missing' on day 3 of the holiday never to return, resulting in hot sleepless nights.
Our huge pool which helped to combat the lack of air conditioning
Sicilian night in our villa, prepared and cooked by our housekeeper Rosario. She spent the whole day slaving away making delicious authentic Sicilian dishes for us to enjoy, including an entire cake made of pasta! (see above)
our unforgettable, romantic wedding in Taormina, champagne on Belvedere Square, dining al fresco at Villa Antonio restaurant against the backdrop of Isola Bella and Mount Etna, and our first dance, a beautiful, choreographed tango to Por Una Cabesa in front of all our guests felt magical.
our first night as newly-weds, dining in a little restaurant on the piazza in the town of Acireale, on a beautiful warm summer evening, surrounded by locals drinking red wine and the impressive architecture of the Duomo.
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Hotel Review: 24 hours at Babington House - Escape to the countryside!
One frosty winter afternoon, looking out across the leafy gardens of Babington House from my cosy attic bedroom window, I thought to myself 'I wish I lived here'.
My early arrival to the hotel that day was welcomed by friendly staff wearing jeans, who sat me down with a pot of tea as I waited to check into my room. Sprawled out across a comfortable sofa in front of an open log fire, this felt more like a living room than a hotel bar.
Lunch in the beautiful glass fronted Orangery restaurant overlooked a lake and consisted of freshly baked warm breads, meats, cheeses and crisp salads.
After lunch an afternoon of indulgence in the Cowshed spa was calling as I nipped across the chilly courtyard to take a dip in the heated outdoor pool before settling in for my manicure.
Later that evening after dinner and drinks in the cosy Log Room I sank into bed wrapped in my fluffy bath robe.
The next morning after a soak in the tub I thoroughly enjoyed a breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. Before leaving there was just time enough for a stroll around the grounds. I grabbed an umbrella and a pair of wellies left out for the guests and took one final lap of my dream home...
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Planning an Italian wedding in Taormina, an offer I can't refuse!
“Oh my God, this is the end!” I think as I prepare to open my eyes. I’m counting down my final moments for I am currently experiencing what my mind believes to be a near death experience. Most people would simply refer to it as “Italian driving”.
(A fine example of a Sicilian road)
Sicilian roads appear to be a combination of crumbling, country lanes mixed with motorways elevated hundreds of metres above the ground by huge columns; the roads run through long tunnels that bore into the mountains. The drivers are boisterous and know no fear; frequently zipping between lanes, unafraid of indicating or cutting up other drivers. Did I mention that the sat nav has packed up informing us that our destination doesn’t exist, we have no map and speak no Italian?
My fiancée Rory and I are driving to Taormina, a small town on the east coast of Sicily. We’ve come here to for a relaxing break to plan our dream wedding in Italy but I’m currently feeling far from chilled out. My mood begins to lighten when we approach the town, nestled high up in the hills above the ocean.
(Taormina)
Taormina is Sicily’s most popular wedding destination and has been a busy tourist spot since the 19th Century with notable fans such as Oscar Wilde, D H Lawrence, Truman Capote and Francis Ford Coppola all having lived or holidayed here. Set against the backdrop of Europe’s largest active volcano, Mount Etna, Taormina sits 250 metres above the sea and is formed of ancient buildings, medieval streets and hidden gardens. The locals are friendly and welcoming, “Mick Hucknall owns a vineyard here” proudly declares the manager of our hotel.
Booking a holiday location for a destination wedding can be cause for concern; tourist traps lurk along the cobbled streets in the form of souvenir shops selling The Godfather memorabilia and overpriced restaurants – yes 15 Euros is too much for a sandwich. Enter Wedding Sicily, wedding planners based in nearby Catania.
We meet them in Taormina for a day of venue viewings and to make sure that they can provide the kind of wedding we are looking for. As we pull up I’ve barely undone my seatbelt when I hear a little knock on the car window. There is Silvia, a petite blonde with a killer tan beaming at us through the window and waving. As we clamber out of the car she embraces me and plants a series of kisses on each cheek as if we are old friends. I suddenly feel very pale and unglamorous. Alessandra, her business partner and a leggy brunette shortly follows, repeating the kissing. We soon get on our way to visit the first potential venue.
Taormina has a variety of different types of wedding reception venues to choose from. Boutique hotels, family run restaurants, boats and private villas are a few of the options available. Family run Villa Antonio is a converted 18th century mansion now functioning as a fine dining restaurant. The family also own a patisserie and are happy to include a complimentary wedding cake as part of their wedding package.
(View from Villa Antonio roof terrace)
El Jebel is a new boutique five star hotel located in the centre of the old town. The property only has 9 rooms, each individual in design. A glass lift transports guests to a huge roof terrace perfect for late night parties. The hotel also offers its own private beach for guests to use.(Restaurant at El Jebel)
Thinksicily is a British company that hire out luxury villas for holiday makers. Close to Taormina is Respiro, a five bedroom villa with pool and Jacuzzi and a large entertainment area perfect for couples who are looking for a more private affair or would like family to stay with them.
After a busy morning of site inspections we stop for lunch in a nearby restaurant. Alessandra tells us business is doing well despite the recession which sounds encouraging. Silvia tells us about the different packages the company offers incorporating all those little touches that help make for the perfect wedding. Some of the items on offer include a pre-wedding chocolate and cigar tasting session for guests, a concert by a soprano, spa treatments and fireworks on the sea. They can also help source local items which work as brilliant favours for guests such as miniature bottles of olive oil and jams.
We sample the local wine and talk about our plans for the wedding, discussing our budget and what we have seen so far. As we depart we are informed by the manager that the entire bill has been taken care of. I throw Rory a perplexed look before he whispers in my ear, “perhaps Silvia is Mafioso” . “Don’t be ridiculous” I hiss at him before following up with an elbow jab to his ribs.
Our final stop of the day takes us to the building where the civil ceremonies take place. Religious weddings in Taormina are strictly Catholic so for those couples not of that persuasion a civil ceremony is going to be the best option. The ceremony is performed by the town mayor in a disused 12th century church that has a huge double doors and a long aisle – perfect for that dramatic bridal entrance. Outdoor ceremonies can be performed on the beach, in gardens or vineyards.
It’s now late in the afternoon, I’m tired, sweating and feeling grouchy. Silvia suggests we cool off with a sorbet like drink called granita in a nearby cafe. As the four of us sip our drinks we discuss wedding transportation . I envisage myself hobbling around on cobbles in heels in 30 degree heat, with makeup streaked across my face on the big day, but apparently there are a number of ways in Taormina to arrive at your ceremony, from an open top Mercedes to a Vespa. For those brides looking to create more of a Katie Price style affair, you can even opt for a horse drawn carriage or a Sicilian chariot.
As our time with Silvia and Alessandra comes to a close and before the kissing ceremonies recommence, Silvia pulls out a little plastic carrier bag from behind her chair and hands it to Rory as a gift. Rustling around in the bag, Rory pulls out a small glass bottle filled with red liquid. The label has a picture of a volcano spewing lava on it. Not wanting to offend our host Rory decides to try the mystery liquid and takes a huge gulp from the bottle. I swear his face turns purple, although it’s hard to tell with all the coughing going on. Silvia looks horrified. Rory has just downed a liqueur the locals refer to as “fire water”.
FACTS: TAORMINA
Location: Taormina sits on the east coast of Sicily, approximately 45 minutes drive from the nearest international airport in Catania.
When to go: the best time to visit is during the spring or autumn when the weather is warm, but before the busy summer months of July and August.
Currency: the Euro is used throughout Italy.
Flight time: approximately 2 hours from London Gatwick to Catania flying with British Airways or Easyjet
Useful information: whilst in Sicily try and take time to visit Mount Etna for an excursion, or the town of Modica with its baroque architecture
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Photo Diary: Around the world in London...
Sunday began with traditional British style as I wandered around the stalls at Blackheath farmer's market. What better way to spend Sunday morning than sampling different ciders, cheeses and cakes!
Tip for tourists: Blackheath farmer's market runs every Sunday morning in the station car park from 10am -2pm. A great selection of foods to try, much more manageable to walk round and less crowded than Borough market, with lots of lovely restaurants and cafes nearby to stop at for lunch afterwards.
From London to Tokyo, County Hall at Southbank played host to the Japan Matsuri, with food stalls, martial arts demonstrations and Taiko drumming. I forgot I was in London as I passed the queues of Japanese tourists waiting patiently for a taste of their home country.
Tourist tip: Southbank is also home to a daily second hand book market, tucked beneath Waterloo bridge. This is a great place to pick up a bargain or just have a browse.
Finally a visit to South America at Spitalfields market with Argentinian Tango at the free milonga. Perched on a nearby bench with a coffee and the huge slice of cake I purchased at the farmer's market, I watched dozens of couples practicing their Tango moves in Bishops Square as part of the London River Tango festival.
A perfect Sunday across the continents without leaving the city, this is why London is my favourite place in the world.
Tourist tips: Spitalfields market runs every Sunday from 9am-5pm specialising in fashion, art and vintage. For more upcoming events check out their website: www.spitalfields.co.uk . Upcoming events include, wine tasting, free salsa lessons and a teadance. Who said London has to be expensive?
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Hotel Review: Mount Washington Resort, New Hampshire
My first thought as we pull up to the front entrance to the hotel is 'Wow, this reminds me of that place in the Shining!'.
I soon forget all thoughts of axe wielding, all-work-and-no-play types when I step out of the car. Turning around, I take in the incredible view - the backdrop of this majestic hotel set against the imposing White Mountains is enough to make me do a little happy dance. We are quickly whisked away to reception where we are met by friendly staff at every turn. Our room is cosy and well appointed, fluffy bathrobes and towels, huge television and possibly one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in await us. I can't wait to explore the hotel - it's huge, the main reception/lounge area is simply epic with burning log fires and chandeliers, no wonder they named it the Great Hall.
Originally opened in 1902, this hotel is ancient by American standards. I feel like I have travelled back to a bygone era, there is a very classic, glamourous vibe to the place, people dress up for dinner and they even have an old fashioned elevator.
We are only staying two nights at the property, and this is no where near enough time, there are so many activities to try out at the resort to include golf, horse riding, spa and tennis courts. I spend most of my time eyeing up the canopy tour and zip wire which look like huge amounts of childlike fun.
There are also plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from at the resort, my personal favourites include live music and cocktails at the Prohibition-era Cave bar, and a hearty lunch at the converted Fabyans Station.
The absolute piece de resistance is the service, which is nothing short of outstanding. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. Staying at the Mount Washington is an experience similar to what I imagine it feels like starring in a classic Hollywood movie - a truly unforgettable experience.
10/10
Prices: we booked an amazing deal through Travelzoo for $114.00 per night.
Perfect for: couples, families, road-trippers
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Indian Ocean honeymoons and holidays....what's the difference?
Working in travel I often come across people who want to know where the best place to holiday/honeymoon in the Indian Ocean is because they're all the same and the only difference is price, right? Wrong. Three of the most popular destinations to travel to from the UK are Mauritius, the Maldives and the Seychelles and they are all very different to each other. I really think the type of person you are and your past holiday experiences should be the main factors when deciding which island to visit. So here's my advice:
MAURITIUS: Good for beautiful hotels, amazing service, golfers, adventure seekers
The island of Mauritius has a lot of hotels to choose from, all the way from the 3* to the 5* deluxe product. The service you will find in the higher end properties is among the best in the world and the large amount of properties now offering this means that there are more hotels in competition with each other all offering some amazing deals. Price wise Mauritius is the least expensive of the three Indian Ocean destinations without any compromise in quality. Regular direct flights from the UK also mean it's very easy to travel there. The island of Mauritius is also full of activities for the more adventurous travellers who don't just want to sit on the beach for two weeks. All kinds of excursions can be arranged to include swimming with dolphins, walking with lions, quad biking and climbing waterfalls. Mauritius is also heaven for keen golfers with a large number of excellent courses located around the island. Golf is often free for guests staying with a resort offering those facilities. Mauritius is a perfect blend of the tropical island getaway meets adventure and excitement.
SEYCHELLES: Good for nature lovers, paradise like beaches, beautiful scenery, island hopping
The Seychelles have recently been in the headlines for being the honeymoon destination for a certain royal couple but with a number of good 4 star properties recently opening up there is no need to dismiss it because of the assumption it will be too expensive. The Seychelles are a really unique collection of islands so island hopping is a must! A good two island combination is Mahe and Praslin. The Seychelles are traditionally seen as more exclusive than Mauritius, the scenery and natural environment is definitely more pleasing to the eye than the vast fields of sugar cane in Mauritius, however the service is generally more laid back here. Nature lovers will be in heaven - giant tortoises, perfect beaches and the famous Coco de Mer are all common sights. Getting to the Seychelles is a bit trickier than the other destinations, there are no direct flights from the UK so usually a changeover in Dubai or Abu Dhabi is required.
MALDIVES:Good for complete relaxation, privacy, snorkelling and diving
Incredible house reefs, coral gardens and hundreds of top diving sites are just a few reasons to visit the Maldives. Ideal for those who completely want to get away from it all and completely chill out, there are plenty of great hotels to choose from. Remember though each island consists of only one hotel, so for those likely to get bored quickly or who like to do a lot of excursions this is probably not the ideal location. A week in the Maldives is like living in a dream world, imagine your own water villa looking out onto the calm clear waters of the Indian Ocean...heaven! Getting to the Maldives is also easy with a number of direct flights from the UK. There are an increasing number of good all inclusive options now in the Maldives, so you won't have to worry about paying a huge bill upon checkout!
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my recent trip to the Seychelles...Anse Georgette, paradise...!
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Budget challenge: A long weekend in the south of France in August
(Image: Capbreton, France)
A colleague of mine announced earlier this year that she was getting married in the south of France in August and that the whole office was invited too.
Great I thought, but how much money was I looking at spending to attend her special day? Setting myself a budget of as low as humanly possible for 2 people to include flights and 3 nights accommodation I began to trawl the Internet for bargains....
After scrutinising every possible transport method to France (with the exception of swimming the Channel), it turns out that flying was actually the cheapest if we travelled with Ryanair and didn't check in any bags. I booked two hotels, the first one for two nights located in Capbreton, a seaside town where the wedding was taking place. The final evening would be spent in Biarritz so we could easily transfer to the airport the next day. The total cost including flights came to £250 each.
Capbreton and the Hotel Atlantic
Situated approximately 20km from Biarritz, Capbreton is a small coastal town popular with French and Spanish tourists during the summer months. The beach is less crowded than Biarritz and there's a good selection of restaurants along the seafront and in the actual town itself. I would recommend spending a night or two here if you are travelling in the area before moving on to somewhere else.
Our accommodation in Capbreton was the Hotel Atlantic which I had booked via the booking.com website. I had serious worries before checking in here as the website was full of terrible reviews of the place, using words such as 'squalid' and 'disgusting' to describe conditions there. However it was the cheapest place in town and at 76 Euros per night, who was I to argue?
The property was very basic but our room was clean and we had our own bathroom. There was no air conditioning so that meant keeping the windows open all night, not a good option if the hotel is above a late night bar and a main road. The noise from outside was loud and constant until around 4am when it eventually died down. The bed had this plastic sheet over the mattress which made a loud rustling noise every time I moved and was quite uncomfortable. These were my biggest issues. We had been offered breakfast for an extra 7 Euros upon arrival but this consisted of one croissant a slice of bread so we gave it a miss. On the plus side it was only 15 minutes to walk to the beach and the reception staff were friendly and helpful. Would I stay here again? Absolutely not.
Biarritz and Le Petit Hotel
Biarritz is a pretty town with a huge surfing scene and a well known rugby team. It was brimming with tourists when we visited, many from the UK. Wandering the streets of Biarritz turned into a game of 'count the number of small dogs' as we saw many owners out with their pooches for the day. Hundreds of boutiques line the winding streets to browse through and explore - dotted amongst masses of colourful restaurants covering every kind of cuisine imaginable. Naturally lying so close to the Spanish border tapas seemed to dominate over the other restaurants. We stopped at a restaurant serving fantastic seafood Paella being cooked in full view of walking passers by to tempt them in.
Le Petit Hotel is another two star property charging 88 Euros for a double room per night during high season. The location of this hotel is excellent, less than 5 minutes walk from the beach. The staff were also friendly here and spoke good English. The rooms were fairly dated in terms of decor but clean and comfortable. Again there was no air conditioning but at least the rooms came equipped with powerful fans to drown out the outside street noise as well as cooling the room. There is also a water dispenser on each floor with lovely cold icy water for guests to help themselves, basic tea/coffee making facilites in the room and new flat screen televisions. A little gem of luxury compared to our previous nights lodgings!
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Bringing a bit of Latin America to London...
Last week in London had somewhat of a Latin feel to it starting with dinner and drinks at Floridita in Soho: http://www.floridita.co.uk/london/
The occasion was an office night out for a colleague who is getting married this weekend. The restaurant is gorgeous inside, with a real 1930s feel to it. We decided to kick the evening off with some cocktails - I opted for a Dark 'n' Stormy, which consists of rum, ginger beer and some other ingredients of which I'm not familiar with!
We went through to the restaurant at around 8pm and were barely seated before the evening entertainment began in the form of a live band. The atmosphere in Floridita is amazing and by the time we had finished eating the dance floor was filled with people salsa dancing.
The food at Floridita comes in manageable tasty portion sizes - I chose the Spanish charcuterie, followed by tender lamb skewers then a lemon and raspberry tart to finish. My 3 courses came to around £40 excluding drinks and service. The restaurant also adds a cover charge of £6 per person for the entertainment. Cocktails are £8.50 each. Although quite expensive, it's definitely worth the cost if you are out for a celebration of some kind.
Ideal for: groups, parties, dancers, posers
Avoid if: you are looking for a quiet romantic dinner, are worried about a hot salsa instructor stealing your other half
In one word: sumptuous
4/5
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My Maldivian sunset, May 2011 *sighs*
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City Hotel Showdown: Manchester - Malmaison vs The Mint
(left image Malmaison, right image, Mint Hotel)
THE MALMAISON VS THE MINT
As a frequent business traveller, a good hotel is vital when I'm out and about. I need my city hotels to have great transport connections as I use public transport everywhere, a good base to work from as a remote office, as well as a bit of comfort to distract me from the fact that I'm away from home. I have tested out both of the above properties in recent months, and thought I would do a comparison to show which one is better for a business stay. I made up a few categories for which I will decide the winner on a point based system:
1. RATES
Both hotels had exactly the same rates when I booked through Laterooms.com, £98 per night. However the Mint makes you pre-pay the room rate which is slightly irritating, so the Malmaison wins this round.
Malmaison: 1, Mint: 0
2. LOCATION:
Both hotels are opposite to each other, about a 2 minute walk away from Piccadilly Station, technically the Mint is very slightly closer, although it literally would only take a few more seconds to reach the Malmaison.
Malmaison: 0, Mint: 1
3. ROOMS/DECOR
The Mint has gone for a sleek, contemporary, airy feel, whilst the Malmaison is more rich Gothic opulence in design. For work purposes I prefer the light, airy feel as the dark decor in the Malmaison makes it difficult to concentrate on work. Both hotels offer decent size rooms, good tea & coffee making facilities and toiletries. The Mint has to win though on this one for it's complimentary WIFI and Apple Mac system in the rooms providing DVD player, Ipod docking etc and loads of TV channels.
Malmaison: 0, Mint:1
4.FOOD/SERVICE
As a female traveller on my own, if I'm in a strange city I usually prefer to eat in the hotel and go for room service so I can carry on working or chilling out. I ordered room service dinner at both properties - both had excellent food but the service was much faster at the Mint where I received my meal within 20 minutes. The Malmaison took almost an hour!
Malmaison: 0, Mint: 1
5. ANYTHING ELSE?
The staff at the Mint were great, really friendly and helpful, thats not to say that the staff at the Malmaison were no good, they just didn't match up to their competitor. The Malmaison had a few little extra touches which I really liked such as luxurious bathroom toiletries and a little map of the area with suggested running routes, it all seemed very thoughtful. I think this has to be a draw.
Malmaison: 1, Mint: 1
FINAL SCORES: Malmaison: 2, Mint: 4
The Mint is the winner!
For business travel the Mint is the better choice in my opinion, however if I was in Manchester for leisure purposes, the Malmaison would probably win.
More hotel reviews to come soon...
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The angry city
The New York city cab drivers have been mashing on their car horns continuously for about ten minutes now. I grab my glass of wine and take a huge gulp in an attempt to drown out the noise.
"My Gawd it's soo Nuu Yoik out there tonight!" exclaims a skinny brunette on the next table to her friends. I watch them mouth their replies as the sound of their voices are drowned out by another round of wailing sirens from a passing emergency vehicle.
I glance down at the table where my plate is supposed to be and look at my watch. I ordered my food 45 minutes ago. I look up at my boyfriend, he throws me a sympathetic smile. This was supposed to be the romantic last night of our holiday.
It's hot outside. Not a nice lie on the beach and sunbathe type heat, but that still humid city heat that you can feel on your skin. It clings to your hair and you can almost taste it's bitterness as it pisses off everybody who happens to be stuck in it.
As we had left our hotel in search of the final restaurant of our trip, I had visions of a cosy Italian restaurant with candles and friendly waiters. Perhaps a little music thrown in if that's not too much to ask for.
On our search for this imaginary restaurant we had scurried past two giant burly looking guys engaged in shouting obscenities at each other on a street corner. Not too sure who had 'started' it but this encounter certainly led to the decline of our romantic mood.
We spotted the restaurant we're in from across the street. It appeared to tick all the boxes from the outside, Italian, cosy and busy - nothing worse than dining in an empty restaurant with no atmosphere.
I had begun to regret our decision after our waitress had taken fifteen minutes to bring our drinks over.
The food arrived some time later, after much unsuccessful conversation due to the barrage of noise coming from all angles. I looked at the food. It's the wrong order of course.
I look at the server. "Excuse me but I ordered the salad not the salmon" I emphasise each word in my most clear polite English voice.
"I'll get your waitress " he growls before taking off. The waitress appears a couple of minutes later, a look of faux-concern clearly spread across her face. I explain to her she got my order wrong.
"Oh. Salad, not salmon. Sorry honey I couldn't understand your accent" she responds before disappearing.
It's 11pm, our massively long below average meal is finally over. We arrive back at our hotel desperate to crawl into bed and start over tomorrow. I spot a group of hotel guests gathered outside the glass fronted hotel entrance. The lobby looks dark. Of course there has been a fire in the next building, activating the power shutdown for the entire hotel. This means no hot water, no television, no air conditioning, and most importantly, no lifts. We are staying on the 17th floor. With very little else to do we begin the ascent of mount staircase and climb all 17 floors. I hate New York.
The alarm finally stops at 5.30am. I get out of bed and stumble over to the huge floor to ceiling window. The sun is just coming up. The streets are quiet and calm, there is no traffic. In the distance I can see the Hudson river past the skyscrapers. I can feel the icy breeze of the air conditioning on my neck. I take one last look at the city before collapsing back into bed. All is forgiven.
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