Atlanta Airport

Arriving at the hub that is Atlanta airport, I am surprised that the actual airport is somewhat dowdy. What isn't disappointing is the comings and goings involved; Delta has a huge involvement here, a number of concourse were dedicated to Delta flights. I was almost left with the impression that Alanta airport was Delta airport - such was their span of control.

This was the first time I had flown internally in the United States, I was very impressed at the level of organisation. Flights arrive, people change planes for final destinations, I have learned that there aren't many direct flights in the US, the airlines all use the hub business model. Atlanta airport is a pretty slick operation, the number of flights was mind blowing, scheduling must be a nightmare, this isn't even the busiest airport in the US.

Flying Delta

Arriving in Newark at 4:30 pm, we immediately needed to get down to Florida and required a cheap flight. $1000 per person one way wasn't a realistic option and after some extensive searching found Delta to be the only plausible airline not will to rip us off. We missed the 6:00 pm flight that evening; it was fully booked at any rate so La Guardia the next day was the next best option after an overnight stay in Queens, that gave us some time to sleep in and still get to the airport in a reasonable time frame.

Booking over the phone, we were still hit with extra booking charges the ticketing desk staff told us we would avoid - great. Arriving at the airport, we found we were not on the flight, protracted negotiations saw us get a seat with time running out. Then, another $25 per person for our backpacks was an extra charge on an already expensive ticket. Not happy, any opportunity to gouge the hapless traveller.

Once on the plane, Delta were very good, if I was in the United States fulltime, I would be very happy flying Delta, they appear to be very well organised. Having flown budget airlines in South East Asia, I know all about disorganisation and airlines. Delta's in-flight service also includes internet coverage from gate to gate, you are able to use electronic devices the whole flight, laptop computers do have to be powered down during take-off and landing as their electrical signatures are too strong, tablets and smartphones are left on for the duration of the flight, phone calls can be taken at cruising only.

Hitting NY for oh so short a time

Flying from Paris to New York, we arrived at Newark airport before trying to immediately leave for Daytona as soon as we arrived, almost a waste of New York. At such short notice, it wasn't possible but we were able to get a Delta flight to Daytona via Alanta from La Guardia airport the next day.

Travelling across the city using the train and bus system, you soon realsise how big greater New York is, getting to understand all the different railway and bus systems takes a little getting used to as a newcomer. This is not my first time in New York, the last time was 2001 but I had pretty much forgot the structure and layout of the public transport system.

Rue de Rivoli

The Rue de Rivoli bears the name of Napoleon Bonaparte's victory against the Austrian army at the battle of Rivoli, fought 14th and 15th of January 1797.

The commercial street runs along pierced the north wing of the Louvre Palace and the Tuileries Gardens and is lined by some of the most exclusive retail outlets in the world.

Up close and personal

Hanging out at the base of Eiffel Tower, there was no way I was heading up the elevators with the long lines, pushing and shoving.

I was just enjoying my time in and around, I have been up the tower previously, I was thinking back to when it was and was a little surprised to work out in was the mid to late 1990s, regardless, I wasn't heading up this time.

It's hard to believe they were actually seriously contemplating tearing the structure down at the end of the World's Fair in 1889, initially criticised by intellectuals and artists, it is now the most visited monument in the world.  

Le Dôme Café

The legendary Le Dôme Café of Montparnasse; located just around the corner from the Eiffel Tower was the meeting place of intellectuals and left bank artists. I have read so much about Le Dôme with famous literary clientele of Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald, William Somerset Maugham with artists of Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst and Paul Gauguin - this was the place to be. Even leftist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin was apparently a regular there mixing with Dômiers at the so called Anglo-American café.

Arc de Triomphe

My favourite monument in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe completed in 1836 has been described as the most monumental of monument arches. Standing in the centre of  Place de l'Étoile and the Champs-Élysées, the arch honours those who fought and lost their lives for France with a particular emphasis on the Napoleonic wars.