Tubing

I went for a "Tubing" last week. Tubing is going down a river in float.

Sickman's Mill Home  
Address:  671 Sandhill Rd, Pequea, PA 17560   Phone: (717) 872-5951



It takes about an hour to go down a river. The flow is basically slow, but sometimes there are shallow places and they catch your tube. Also, speed gets fast at some points. So you can enjoy some thrill. However, it's not dangerous. Even the small kids age about 4 years can enjoy it by connecting their tube with adult, or you can take your child together in your tube.

It will be more fun if you connect tubes with your friends or family.If you go alone, it's easy to get separate and very difficult to get together again.I recommend to chain for 3-4 people together. It makes to get direction easier and you can enjoy conversations during the Tubing.

Since there are holes at your seat so your bottom gets always wet. Depends on the flow, you will also get wet on your back. You should be well prepared for it. At the final destination, they will pick you up and takes you to the start point.There is a snack bar selling cheese-steaks and sandwiches and so on.

Besides this place, there is also Tubing place in New jersey.

 Delaware River Tubing 

Address: 1121 New Jersey 12, Frenchtown, NJ 08825　Phone:(908) 996-5386

I think Tubing is a very American way to enjoy great natures.

It' really fun to go with friends or family. I definitely go next year. I highly recommend it!!

Metro Apartment Suite

As you know, the Hotels in NY are very expensive.
My parents came to see me last month, and we stayed in NY for 3 night 4 days.

To Look for 3 person's cheap hotel rooms in the NY is very difficult.
You might find cheap double bed rooms or single rooms, but rooms for three people are difficult.
Of course you can book 4 people's room, but I didn't want to pay so much for hotels, so I chose Apartment this time.
I found the apartment at Booking.com.
There were no reviews on the site when I booked.
Since the pictures on the web site and the location were good, I decided to book there.

Metro Apartment Suite　   38 West 31st street, New York City, NY 10001

I found many reviews one week before I stay there. Many bad and good reviews were on the site.
I was worried about my stay in there. After stayed the apartment, I understand both reviews.
I think I was lucky, because I booked small studio which was $647.37 includes tax for three night.
It supposed to have one queen size bed and one sofa bed, but my room had two queen size bed.
The room was enough big and clean. Also, having a kitchen in the room was great. I liked the room.

Bath room was simple

water pressure was fine

enough hangers

However, the service was bad.
Since it's just an apartment, you need to call the office an hour advance to check in.
I called 3 hours in advance, and I was late, but no one was there.  I called again and the parson was on the subway.

Fortunately, my room was ready, so I could enter the room before he arrive. But he kept us waiting for 30 minutes.
There was another couple who were same situation in front of the apartment. They told me they were waiting about an hour.

I didn't see anyone when we check in and out. Just took and left the room key on the table in my room. That's it.
I thought they don't prepare any towels, but there were four big bath towels in the room.
There were shampoo and conditioner and soap as well.
They sent me a mail,  they have rental towel 3 for $10. Now I think it's for replacement.

I asked to refill toilet rolls but they forgot it.
I think the apartments are maintained by young Korean guys, they are innocent, but careless.

Anyway, I don't know if I will be back to this apartment.  It was cheap and good location though.
I can't recommend this apartment hotel everyone but if you can speak English well, and have cellphone, and be patient, you can stay here.

I was satisfied with this stay,  maybe it's because I was lucky.

They can keep your luggage for $6-10 each at their office near Port authority.
It was very convenient to take Greyhound bus.
We went to the office by taxi in the morning and picked up our luggage before we took bus.

At previous stays in NY, I used Pod 51 and Hotel Azul, I will write about it some day.

Travel to Niagara Falls

Last year, we went to Niagara Falls in beginning of July for 3 days and 2 nights.
There are three ways to go to Niagara Falls.



1. By car
   According to Google map, it takes 7 hours directly from Delaware to Niagara Falls.

2. By airplane ( To NY Buffalo airport or Toronto airport )
   Airplane costs a lot, and you need to take a long distance bus or rent a car after you get there.

3. Apply for the tour from NY or NJ
   There are many tour from NY and NJ, but going to NY or NJ takes 3 hours,
   and the time riding bus is almost same as Delaware to Niagara Falls.

My choice was to go by car.
Many American also travel by car, and it was the most reasonable way to go there.
We got so many bugs on the front of car though.


I minded these three points for the travel.

①Since it's a long drive, don't make a tight schedule so that we can spend a relaxing time there.
②The fall at Canadian side is greater than American side, so go American side first.
③Stay at falls view hotel one night, because we can save money to go by car.

Since the first day staying at Niagara falls was Independence day, I planned to book American side hotel.
However, the hotels in Canadian side were cheaper than American side, I booked  both night in Canadian side.

I looked for a falls view hotel first, and decided to stay at The Oaks hotel.
The hotel has a beautiful view and it has the cheapest falls view room around there.
Still, it cost $341 in total for a night.
Because both Canada and America are on the holiday season, it's the busiest time for Niagara Falls at the beginning of July.

I didn't care about inside the room, but I was worried about the view from windows.
Our room was on the 13th floor, and the view was amazing just like this.
We could see fireworks very well. I was very satisfied with the view from our room.

The hotel has prepared outlook space in the hallway of the 14th floor,  so that guests can look freely.
Even if staying at the lower floors,  you can enjoy a beautiful view and fire works there.

It's too expensive to stay two night at this hotel, I booked another cheap hotel before we stay here.
While we stay in the Oak hotel for the second day, we didn't plan special activities.
We stayed at the room to enjoy the view and reading books. We felt really relax.

I'm going to go Niagara Falls again with my parents in July.
I was wondering whether choosing the Oak hotel or Radisson hotel, I booked the Oaks hotel again.
Because Radisson hotel is a little bit far from main street.
If you stay at falls view room just one night, you should book on the day which has fireworks.

We also went for a winery of Niagara on the lake. I will write about wineries next time.
My friend told me about "Niagara Falls Adventure Pass Classic". I will buy it next time.

Grand Circle Trip

My husband and I went for a trip to Grand Circle.
Since my husband is working a Japanese company, it's easy to take a vacation
from the end of April to first week of May, which period is called Golden week in Japan.

Grand Circle (includes many GRAND places) trip is one of the most popular destinations among Japanese people.
It is a great trip for people all over the world. I will write a bit about our trail for someone's convenient.

【MAP】  ※ Points are written in English

※My husband made a plan very well,  I will rewrite those for this blog.

【Day 1】　Philadelphia Airport  → Phoenix Air port （Rent a Car）→ Sedna（Stay at hotel)

① Sedna.To see a sunset at Airport Vortex. This is a famous power spot in Japan.

【Day 2】　Sedna → Grand Canyon → Page （Stay at hotel)

①Sedna. Hiking at Cathedral Rock. This is also a famous Vortex spot.

②Grand Canyon. Take a  free shuttle bus "kaibab trail route Orange line" from information center,
    and go to South kaibab trail head. Then walk to "OOH AAH point".

【Day 3】 Page → Antelope Canyon → Monument Valley → Moab （stay at hotel）

①Page,  driving to　Horseshoe Bend 

②Antelope Canyon,  we took lower course. (about 90 minutes)

③ Monument Valley,  Driving a valley drive route.
    The road is very wild and unpaved, so it's easy to get sick.
    I thought it's enough to see just from visitor center or outside of the park.
    But don't forget to check the famous point which is very famous for "Forrest Gamp".

    

　 

【Day 4】 Arches（Moab）→ Rich field（stay at hotel）

<Strolling　Arches> 　

  We went to three arches.  ①Landscape Arch ②Delicate Arch ③ Double Arch

　It is a hard work to see ①and② on the same day.
  There are more place to see in Arches, so I think it's better to spend one whole day or 2 days for Arches National Park.
  We moved to Rich field on that day at 5. It took 3 hours from Moab to Rich field. It was difficult driving for a tied body.

【Day 5】 Rich field → Bryce Canyon National Park → Zion National Park→ St. George（stay at hotel）

①Bryce Canyon,  strolling sunset point. We planed to walk Loop trail, but the Arches trail the day before was hard,
   and we were still felt tied, we canceled it.

②Zion National Park,  looking around Visitors center.
　　※We planed to climb Angel's landing that day, but we still felt tied, it postponed to the next day.

We were too packed schedule, we spend this day for a rest.
The distance between each points were very far, it took much time than we expected, we had to change the plan a bit.

On Spring dale side of Zion, there are many shops and cottages. It was so pretty sightseeing place.
The entrance of the park was busy in afternoon by many cars. 

【Day 6】　St. George → Zion National Park → Las Vegas

① Zion National Park. Climbing  Angel's landing (About 4 hour)
  After you reach the top, it still takes 30 minutes to go Angel's landing.
  Even the middle of the trail (top of the mountain)is also very high and beautiful.
  If you plan to go to the Angel's landing, it's better to prepare gardening gloves.
  Because there are iron chains to help your climbing.  Going down is much harder than going up for my feet.

② Returning the rent a car at Las Vegas Airport.
  There is a premium outlet near the gas stand, it's a good idea to check outlet shops after you filled gas in your ca.
  However, shopping in Las vegas cost 8% tax. It can be better for us to shop at Philadelphia premium outlet?!

【Day 7】  Staying Las vegas whole day.

It was my first visit in Las Vegas. I was so surprised that I could find casinos everywhere in the Vegas.
Most hotels have a casino place in their hotels.  The play costs from $1, so I spent $20 in total.

I couldn't see famous free shows because Treasure Island Pirates show was under construction, 

fountain show at　Bellagio hotel was canceled due to a strong wind.
I was not interested in going for a luxury brands shopping nor any casual brands shopping.
So I was so disappointed  that I couldn't see the shows.
However, looking around each hotels was fun. Each hotel has unique interior and motifs.

【Day 8】 Las Vegas Airport → Philadelphia Airport （Early morning flight）

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●What to bring

Tracking shoes, clothes that you can adjust the warmness, hat, sunglasses, sun screen are the basic item for this trip.
Most place were high elevation, it was still very cold at the beginning of May.
I worn light long sleeve shirts everyday except Arches and Zion.
It's get cold especially at morning and night, you should prepare a warm sweat and a down jacket for sure.
Wind was so strong, my hat was really good to keep in with a rubber so that it is not blown by the wind.
I bought the hat at Target with $12 and put rubber band by myself.  Work gloves helped at Zion and Arches.

●Foods

We spend a lot of time in the car,  besides it was busy trip, most lunch was only snacks in the car, which was not good.
Except Zion and Arches, there are no place to sell foods (even a coffee!).
It's better to buy some food for a picnic before you enter the parks.

There are many buffet restaurant in Vegas, however it was not reasonable for us, because we could never eat so much for the price.
Especially for the breakfast,  it was so sad to pay too much for just a little we had.
For example, Chin Chin China's breakfast. We should have ordered by a la cult.
Morning Buffet was too expensive to recover what you paid especially in morning.
However, this was still expensive, but we were satisfied with the food at Wicked spoon.
It costs $47 per person. We enjoyed many seafood there.

The Grand Wok was a clean and sophisticated restaurant,
and Japanese people would like them, it was a little bit expensive for Chinese though.

I wanted to try this Thai restaurant　Lotus of Siam .  It is far from main city, so I gave up to go.

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At the end, if you allow me to rank them, the order is below.
However, I didn't prepare anything for the trip. So this is just my opinion.
This could be different from reputation of the world.

１．Arches National Park    Hiking was tough, but feels so good. I wanted to stay for 2 days.

２．Bryce Canyon             So beautiful landscape. I did not get tired even watching much.

３、Horses hoes　　　　　　   It was very excited for the highness. But it is enough for an hour to stay.

４、Zion National Park 　　  Very nice hiking place and it has good moods.

５、Antelope Canyon   　    Simply very unique view which is created by sands.

６、Grand Canyon   　　      I had too much expectation since it was very famous, but I could feel great nature.

７、Monument Valley　　　   It was enough from the outside. Wild driving way made us dizzy.

８、Sedna Vortex　  　        I couldn't feel the energy much, it was very beautiful though.