I wrote little of my journey from Washington to New York yesterday; that was unintentional. But, there is not a lot, actually, to write about. I was on an original ACELA train with high speed electric locomotives at each end. My First Class coach was at the rear, negating the need to negotiate my cumbersome luggage the full length of the train at Washington. And I didn’t have to on arrival at Penn Station in New York City, but it felt like a long walk to the Moynihan Train Hall. and its appropriate exit for the Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites directly opposite. America doesn’t really do high speed trains, but ACELA was no disappointment. Dinner, although not massive, was served on proper badged china, some of which I hope may find its way (legally) into my collection! I cannot believe that these Business and First Class trains are due to be replaced. They are (I believe) slightly older than our Pendolinos, and given better infrastructure on which to run, would be infinitely better. Like the previous more traditional trains I travelled on, you can be thrown in a way that at first is a tad alarming. But the North East Corridor, i.e. Washington, New York, and Boston is an impressive well used system. This was an appropriate and fitting way to complete just over 8,000 miles on Amtrak.
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey which I devised and requested my travel agent to arrange. Originally, this was to be by ship to New York, train(s) to Vancouver, cruise to Alaska and on to Japan before a lunchtime west bound First Class flight back from Tokyo to the UK. Covid-19 curtailed this holiday, both in 2020 and 2021. A further plan was to fly eastbound to Tokyo and continue in the same direction, firstly around Japan, across to Alaska, and eventually eastbound by train across/around America and home on QM2. That, too, was cancelled due to the pandemic, but with the last days of the Alaska cruise being reinstated, and the sailing from New York still in tact, the next plan was to fly out to Vancouver, join the Alaska cruise and continue with the revised and already rebooked itinerary. Then, I was made aware of a 33 night repositioning voyage of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth which connected perfectly with the sailing from Vancouver around S.E. Alaska, which also remained unaffected. Thus a revised and final itinerary was put into place, which I have written about since May 2nd. Being such a long journey, the first early days are but a kaleidoscopic merge of good and interesting memories which I am already starting to sort out.
I might be hesitant to heartily recommend an Amtrak holiday; but I thoroughly enjoyed these lengthy times on trains. With luck, I may just squeeze in more such travel on routes over which I have yet to travel.
Some Highlights:- Kennedy Space Center, the concert in Grant Park, Grand Canyon, Meeting my Great Nephew and girlfriend in Washington, and finally, my super-duper studio/single cabin on QM2 which I am more than happy with.
This is more like a small boutique hotel room with a higher than usual ceiling and decent picture window. There are just 9 such staterooms on Deck 2 where once people enjoyed the now smaller casino. Today is the first full day of six at sea and I still haven’t unpacked completely. I have been presented with a spectacular bouquet of flowers to enhance my accommodation, along with a bottle of champagne. That was a surprise!
A calm, but not sunbathingly warm crossing is predicted. I do like this “transatlantic commute!”
This morning, 9th July, I attended a very good lecture on the History of Cunard charting 180 years. It was well put together, researched, and superbly delivered in 45 minutes. But the afternoon lecture on Crossing the Atlantic did not inspire to the same degree. After this, I adjourned to the Queens Room for Afternoon Tea, something I don’t plan doing very often. I relaxed at a table by myself as a string trio serenaded the tea-takers with a playlist from Vivaldi to Leonard Bernstein, at the stage end of the dance floor.
I chose not to dress up this evening, for the Red and Gold Gala Night. Instead, I found a quiet table in the Kings Court eatery.
I walked little today. Tomorrow, I intend to catch up. 24 days of laundry have been submitted for washing and ironing!
What a way to finish a blog! Nevertheless, many thanks for reading. David 9th July 23.18hrs in the Kings Court on board QM2.
David's Cruise 