Chinese Gardens and the market

On Saturday (feeling ever so slightly worse for wear thanks to the night before), I had a little lie in and went out to Saturday craft markets. The weather was amazing and there were so many stalls to look around. It is a really cool market.

The market extends out to the river. So I walked along it to get to the Chinese gardens.

There are also some Japanese gardens but the transport there was not obvious so I decided to go to the Chinese gardens instead which were walkable. 

It is only a city block but they designed it to make it feel much bigger. (I took a tour as well as wondering around on my own).

The floors had geometric patterns which reflect the yin and yang. And there is a large pond with bridges over it in many places. 

One of the many very cool doorways.

The tea house

Many fish.

One of the pagodas. 

The moon door.

I sat outside the tea house with a mug of oolong tea for quite some time, reading and watching the dragon flies. I drifted back to the hotel and grabbed some sushi for a late lunch (the sushi was so good). I was going to sit in Pioneer Square, a big public square not far from my hotel, but there seemed to be a protest going on. As I had seen on the news a riot which started as a protest and got a little out of hand only the week before, I decided against this, headed back to the hotel and chilled out (with a nap) and dinner out. 

Afternoon tea

As a surprise, Dad got me and Mom a voucher for afternoon tea at the Himley Hall Country Club.  We went yesterday afternoon after a quick trip to Halfpenny Green Vineyard for some wines, some of which I am going to try to bring back to the states.

Halfpenny Green wine selection 

The sandwiches and cakes were very nice and mom assures me the scones were also lovely. The hotel is a little dated but the tea room was nice and the music was all from James Bond which was perfect for the surroundings.

Our cake and sandwich selection

Mom enjoying her scone

We drank so much tea. It was even too much for me! And we got to sit in the sun. So a very nice afternoon. Very civilized and very British. :-)

National Harbor

On the Sunday I managed to have time to take a walk around National Harbor. It's fairly new and right on the Potomac. I had a walk along the harbor front. It was very cold!

View of the bridge to DC

Gaylord centre from the harbor front

Along the sea wall

They have quite a few statues dotted around. Some were very interesting.

Not a clue! 

On the first day, this was also in the lobby of the hotel. :-)

Balloon Darlek

 On the last day of the conference I found the tea shop. I have never seen teas that are priced $110 for 2oz! I didn't buy any of those! But I did sit and have a cup of tea and chat to the shop owner, an Air Force Vet who had lots of questions on astronomy! It was great fun. Plus I got a huge tube of green mint tea and some packets of Wine mixers. You add the tea to wine and cold brew. I am really curious. It combines two of my favorite things, wine and tea. So it could either be absolutely amazing or awful. I'll let you know!

Huge tube of green Menthos tea!

Tea wine mixers

And it has been freezing! The Potomac froze! Everyone has been dashing in and staying as close to the centre as possible. Luckily National Harbor is quite small so you can get to all the restaurants fairly quickly. (Seriously I have never felt cold quite like it. It was -15F / -26C with the wind chill one day!)

The frozen Potomac!

New York City - Last morning

On our last day, Caroline had to leave early so we went for a breakfast at a diner nearby before finishing packing. I left my stuff in the room and went with Caroline who tried to hail a cab on our street. After a few taxis past, one stopped. It was already occupied but she rolled down the window and told us to go to the corner of 3rd Avenue (next road down). Apparently the trick is to wave from the corner (and partially standing in the road helps but we weren't that brave/crazy). Eventually we flagged one down and Caroline went off to Penn Station to get her train to Baltimore airport.
I went back to Grand Central. While we were stuck on the bus yesterday evening, the tour guide was filling in time (while trying to figure out where we were going because it was not the way we should be due to something happening on 49th, either an accident or the road was blocked because someone famous arrived at the Waldorf Astoria.) She told us loads of things about Grand Central, like how they smuggled Jackie Kennedy out in the middle of the night on a train (I have no idea why that was so impressive but she and others seemed to think so.) There are lots of secret tunnels and train lines there going to the Waldorf, which is the President's hotel while in New York. It started with Roosevelt staying there and other Presidents after have kept up the tradition. The tunnels were built so Roosevelt could kept the secret he was in a wheelchair and arrive secretly. Of course, I couldn't go in the tunnels, but still pretty cool. Also they are supposed to have great shops there!
And the station itself is really is beautiful. Penn Station used to be the same but they tore it down, but thankfully saved Grand Central Terminal.

Astronomy on the ceiling.

View from the balcony.

I had a wonder around but couldn't find all these amazing shops people talk about.
And then I found heaven! Grand Central Market. Remember I have been in Blacksburg for the past few months which isn't exactly the height of civilization (though I do love it already there) but the selection of gourmet foods etc is limited. The market was fairly small but amazing. They had meat, fish, cheese, veg, and more.

Veg stall

The most beautiful cakes I have ever seen!

Spice and tea heaven!!!!

Even chocolate!

Though my favorite was the spices and teas where I brought lots of different spices and tea. (The selection was amazing!) I came away a little poorer but very happy!
After that I wondered a little, hit one more souvenir shop for a few little bits and headed back to the hotel as my shuttle to the airport is at 12pm. I then have 2 and a half hours in Terminal F in Philly. If you ever go there, take food and reading material. There is nothing!!!!!
Overall, I love New York!!!! I don't really like cities that much but I think I could live in New York. There is so much to do and am looking forward to next visit and doing all the things I missed this time! :-)