GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 24

by Adrienne Wilson on

Before you start rattling off with excuses about how the family was visiting from Buffalo or how you got tied up under the mistletoe, please do me one small favor. Spare the sob story. I don’t care why you couldn’t get here or what could have been more important than getting your travel fix, but you’re lucky that I’m nice and feeling the holiday spirit for I’m giving you the gift of checking out what you missed!

5. Would You Like Polonium With That?:
Folks following the case of the Russian spy that was poisoned might be interested in filling their mouths with the very same cuisine the spy was noshing on when things went awry and sour in his stomach. Iva informs us that the Itsu in London isn’t doing so well at the moment and one can understand why, but the newest location in NYC is thriving. Someone daring enough to try the hamachi?

4. He’s BaaaaaacK! Michael Jackson in Vegas:
I’m not going to say a whole lot here. Erik already did a fine job of that, but in short the King of Pop shall be performing in Vegas. C’mon you know and I know you’re dying to see Mike!

3. Emirates Airlines to Allow Cell Phone Talk on Flights:
Starting in January 2007, Emirates Airlines will be the first to allow cell phones use during flights. If you’re not a fan of cell phones in general or someone babbling in your ear it may be time to invest in some ear plugs.

2. Expense Reports: The Bane of Travel Writers:
Okay, this is funny because if you’ve ever needed a receipt for any job, not just travel writing you can relate. Expense reports are just not fun, but such is what must be done when traveling on the company’s dollar.

1. Not Taking Vacation! Shame on You!:
This is too hard to believe. There are people (American people) who actually don’t take their vacation days off. It is just jaw-dropping. We’re not saying take the one or two weeks and go to Tonga, but geez, give yourself the opportunity to kick back at home and watch the Discovery Channel for crying out loud. Take a break!

Plans for New Year’s Eve

by Adrienne Wilson on

Like many I am still searching for the perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve. I’ve never been huge NYE celebrating type of person so it’s no biggie if I don’t find some spectacular fireworks display, but at the same time it’s always kind of nice. Last year I stayed nestled inside my apartment and the previous year I believe I was sitting on a beach in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica wishing I were somewhere else (long story). Well the Miami Herald offers a small sampling of what’s available across the states and even as far down and out as Australia, Italy and Costa Rica. Go figure. Nothing listed for Chicago so I’ll be moving onto the next list, but for those partying domestically in Key West, NYC, ATL or even Alabama check out their notes.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 3

by Adrienne Wilson on

Time to wrap up the week that was with some of our some very tasty and foul entries.

5. How to Have A Bad Time in New York City:
Sad to say, but everyone who arrives in NYC doesn’t have a great time which is not a reflection of the city by any means. Instead it goes to show how much homework time they invested in seeing the Big Apple the right way. To avoid having a bad time on your first trip in try giving this article here a spin.

4. Find a Grave Tourism:
Over the last year or so I’ve been attracted to cemeteries for many reasons and thankfully none of which were to attend a funeral. When Neil posted this plug on finding graves of celebrities or even your own special loved ones I thought how cool! Not that I go stalking the dead on a regular basis, but there is so much history in grave yards. Anyhow, if this sounds like your sort of thing too then go take a look.

3. Low Rollers Guide to Vegas:
Looking to go to Vegas on a tight budget? Head to Downtown Las Vegas where Low Rollers remain Low Rollers and save a little pocket change.

2. No Lights on Flights:
Passing on gas on planes probably won’t earn the kind of fame and stardom you’re seeking in life, but lighting a match to your flatulence will. Read the tale about common sense lost and a plane grounded when a woman tries to cover her smelly toots from her caboose.

1. Smile! You’ve Been Secretly Profiled!:
For some folks being spied on is a high honor that shows someone really cares, but for others it is enough to boil the blood stream and do nutty things. What kind of nutty things? I don’t know for sure, but it sounds as though the government has been secretly collecting data on domestic and international travelers for the last four years. Flattered yet? What they’ve managed to soak up and put in your own personal folder may be of interest to you. Check it out.

Ten Best NYC Blocks

by Erik Olsen on

Here’s one of those pieces that make you both cringe and smile. Time Out Magazine apparently believes it is capable of naming the Top Ten Blocks in all of New York City. I cringe because that’s one hell of a presumption, but I smile because I like the idea.

Using criteria like aesthetics, amenities, a “greeness factor” (which one assumes means the people there like trees and flowers as well as clean burning fuels) and affordability, they break them out in nicely written, icon-laden glory. Never mind that the icons’ meaning is stuck way below at the bottom of the page so you have no idea what they’re tlaking about unless you scroll down. So forgive them their navigational trespasses and take a brief look with me at some of their top choices.

First, (and I mean first, this is their top choice) they regard South Portland Avenue between DeKalb and Lafayette Avenues, Fort Greene, Brooklyn as the finest block in New York. This may be so. I hate to say I’ve never actually spent time there. Of course now I want to. Then they move onto Grammercy Park, Chelsea and Long Island City. Boy are they casting a wide net. I like it though. It gives me the gumption see some places in the other boroughs I’ve never seen before. But why in the world is the West village not listed here is beyond me. It must have failed on the affordability meter.

If you are a tourist coming to the city, I suggest that this is the kind of article you would want to use to help guide you around town. Take the day to check out some of these blocks rather than go to Times Square or some other God awful tourism-infested hole.

NYC Mayor’s Cup

by Erik Olsen on

I have to say I haven’t gotten myself over there yet, and the event is already in full swing…but right now over at the Hudson River the first ever New York City Mayor’s Cup is happening. It’s a big deal for paddle people who love the city. The race takes some of the nation’s top paddlers around the entire island of Manhattan (some 26 miles, by most people’s reckoning).

The event organizers say that the event offers some rough water, but I’m not sure what they mean since the closest thing we have to a rapid or wave on the Hudson is when the Queen Mary II goes by. But they point to Hell’s Gate, where water combines from Long Island Sound, the Harlem River and the East River, thus creating waves, whirlpools and “very confused water” (am I salty, am I fresh?).

I may try to hoof it down there today and will post some pics if I do.

via Manhattan Kayak Co)