Tony's Tales: Dropping Names in NYC

While being away from the family is always a downer, there are some benefits in being able to experience things one would otherwise only read about or watch on the idiot box. So it was when a week of JV negotiations brought me recently to the ever interesting New York City. And not just NYC, but the meeting location had us staying in the centre of things: mid-Manhattan (by now you should be humming the Sinatra standard New York, New York).

On arrival the weather was brilliant with sunny skies and temp in the mid-20s, and so with a Sunday afternoon to myself it was exploring time. One tourist event I had not done previously was the "Top of the Rock" which is the observation at the top of the Rockefeller Center. As you can see from the picture (north towards Central Park with the Hudson river to the left) the views were stunning. Then it was off to do a little shopping and to enjoy the community fair set up along Madison Avenue.

On arriving back at the hotel -- the historic Waldorf-Astoria (and for you Fawlty Towers fans, they did NOT run out of Waldorfs) -- there was some commotion near the Lobby level bar. Turns out it was Pierce Brosnan (first dropped name) doing a reasonably poor job of being inconspicuous, and consequently being hassled by tourists for a photo.

Onto a long week of negotiations, but the weather was wonderful and warming slightly each day to the high 20s by the end of the week. So there was lot's of walking done to and from meetings and to dinners so as to get in some of the local buzz. Turns out that on the walk from our hotel to the office we passed the sidewalk vents from the famous Marilyn Monroe white dress video (second name, albeit a little less lively).

Awoke mid-week to a message under the door that we would have a "dignitary" in the hotel that evening and security would be heightened. Well by heightened they meant blocked streets, barricades everywhere, men in suits with wired up earplugs, and countless of New York's finest. I guess that's what happens when Barack Obama turns up for a fundraiser in the hotel! (now you have to admit that's a great third name). That much security encouraged us to head out for dinner so there was no personal sighting, however one of our party did see the 44th President earlier in the day.

And for a mad Yankees fan like me there cannot be a summer visit to NYC without an attempt to see the Yanks play, and especially with the new Stadium up and running this year. Friday night saw me catching the Green Line #4 from Grand Central up to the Bronx and enjoying the very modern and spacious facilities. Had a great seat, and the New Yorker beside me was convinced I was a TV Host and so took my picture for his wife (I guess that doesn't count as a name?). Of course the Yankees have a full roster of famous names, and the biggest is Derek Jeter, seen here swinging for the fences. He didn't drive in the winning run that day, but Teixeira did and it was Detroit's turn to go down 5-3, but not before the beautiful weather ended with a huge thunderstorm in the eighth inning. That made for a long evening and a messed up train system, but a win is a win as they say. Thanks for a great week NYC.

Tony's Tales: Farewell Hong Kong

Well it's goodbye to June and it's farewell to Hong Kong. The Frencham family have just completed the never fun, but very familiar, home exit and preparation to relocate.

It was an elongated exit. Firstly, we managed the three day pack during what was supposed to be the last week of school for the kids (see full story from Sarah in the Blog below). The pack went very well thanks in no small part to the excellent pre-organisation of Melissa. Meanwhile the family moved to a hotel which was fun for a short time, although this author was not happy having just spent the prior five weeks in hotels. Also during this first week Melissa had the first of her two exams for her Bacheor of Behavioural Science course (in her spare time). Of course Sarah had her three shows of Wind in the Willows. We also managed a farewell dinner with friends, and I even squeezed in my Birthday (I can't remember how many years it is !).

We then stayed on in Hong Kong for another week so that Melissa could complete her second exam, and we could close out the final exit issues. The second week was more relaxed (except for the studious Melissa) and the Kids and Tony were able to spend some time at the pool and generally decompressing. On the day of Melissa's exam the three of us headed off to Ocean Park (see Feb '09 Blog) to hit the fun park rides for a final time. It was a hot humid HK summer day, but we had a lot of fun.

So now our household goods are on the water on their way to Dubai, and we are in Australia to catch up with family and friends. To Hong Kong we say thanks for a happy two years and to the wonderful sights and sounds that are one of the great cities of Asia and the World. We will miss the friends we made, but look forward to keeping in contact with them, and to new friends to come. In Dubai we may miss the orderly efficiency, but we will certainly have plenty of the buzz and bustle of a vibrant city determined to knock off the Hong Kong's of this world. And we certainly hope to be there a LOT longer than we were in Hong Kong.