With 24 rooms, Hidden Hotel is a DELIGHT. English speaking FRIENDLY STAFF, they will help make your trip, help you negotiate the easy Subway and HARD Trains (to Versailles). Get the GREAT BREAKFAST. Rooms are smallish by US standards but much more lavishly equipped with 4 poster beds and great lighting and plumbing.
This place also cross promotes the amenities they provide like the Italian shampoos, soaps and bed linens. Not a thing guys usually notice but you come away addicted to the way you have been treated. The Cypress Lotion and "Eurica sativa" shampoo should be outlawed.
Very good restaurants nearby, grocery stores to get Belgian Ales, French Beer, Wine, Cheese and snacks.
RESTAURANTS
Almost insane trying to recommend Parisian Restaurants. This will evolve to include Dr Kevins recommendations.
Le Trimilou: A Dr Kevin Recommendation. On the Seine across from Isla la Cite. The best duck with prunes. OUTRAGEOUS. A great first night dinner as Kevin recommended while you are still jet lagged. Get the house wine. Incredible photo ops before and after dinner. English is not happening. Hand gestures and pointing to the menu with smiles will get you a great meal.
RECH: Alaine Ducasse temple to SEAFOOD. 5 Minute walk from Hidden Hotel. Ducasse bought it 7 years ago and instead of the "Seafood Platter" they offer the "Crustacean platter" with six varieties of shrimp and crab. Or the Mollusk platter, you get the idea. Not available in the USA. They speak reasonably good English.
Seine River Cruise " Batteaux Parissean" Pick up at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Photography problem, only worthwhile at the stern of the boat (back). Elegant but not haught cuisine up front through the glass.
MUST DO
Isle la Cite / Notre Dame / Concierge
Eiffel Tower
Lourve / Park
Sacre Coure & Moulin Rouge walking tour (Montmart)
Dinner Cuise on the Seine (boats at the foot of the Eiffel Tower)
Museum of Science & Technology
La Defense (New Paris)
Versailles (edge of town)
AFTER HOURS
Etoille / Arc de Triomphe
See this at night. Thanks to Lisa G for the the recommendation. There are staircases that let you go up after hours and see the lights with far fewer crowds than the Eiffel Tower. You shoot the Eiffel Tower from here. Bring a tripod.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
MANATEES OF CRYSTAL RIVER FLORIDA
Check out my article in DivePhotoGuide.com on Photographing Manatees.
Logistics
Best Season is January to March. Colder water, 68F, brings in more Manatees from the Gulf.
Snorkelling only, no free Diving down. Wet suits necessary, can be rented on site.
Fly into Tampa - car rentals can be very expensive, even for Florida.
DIVE BOAT AND STORE SUPPORT: BIRDS UNDERWATER
320 N.W. Highway 19
Crystal River, FL 34428
Run by Bill & Diane Oestreich for 20 years
800 771-2763
bird@birdsunderwater.com
http://www.birdsunderwater.com/
Get to the store / Dock at 6:15 am Store is open till the boats leave. Dock is at the side of the store.
HOURS Shop is open 9-5 every day year round.
Rhonda, Christine (boat Guide), Marty
$35 per person per day
Morning trips are the best 6:15 am & 11am
reservations are required.
This year 150 at 3 Sisters, Kings springs maybe 250
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express about a mile form the Dock / Store. Mention Birds Underwater for a discount. THERE IS A HOTEL right next to the Store as well. See the Birds Website, they have a ton of info.
Having your own boat makes no difference, and may make crowded conditions worse. At Three Sisters, after leaving the boat, you are moving past a roped sanctuary and up a barricaded stream to the 3 sisters spring. It is a five minute swim. It has two foot openings to allow Manatees and kayaks and not much else. Photographers with long strobe arms should have arms extended and pass cameras sideways. Strobe arms are a consideration. See the DOs and DON'Ts section below. Visitors are required to view the Fish & Wildlife Video on Manatee behavior and proper conduct.
COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY PERMITS
A Commercial Photo Permit is required for Kings Springs if you will be publishing photos as a professional. If you are using Three Sisters, a permit not required as of this writing, but this could change in the next couple of months. The permit costs $100 and can only be made by check or money order. They prefer to have the fee mailed ahead of time. Florida Fish & Wildlife is near the Dive store and the fee can be dropped off if necessary. For more info, contact Ivan Vicente of Florida Fish & Wildlife, at 352-563-3088 x 213. All shooting for this article was at Three Sisters.
HOTELS
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, they offer a discount for Birds Underwater customers, we paid $85 a night. Wi-Fi is included. It is a mile or so from the dock. There are also a Best Western close by and a Plantation Inn. The Holiday Inn Exp is diver friendly, we were routinely walking through the lobby in wetsuits.
FOOD
Crystal River has lots of casual dining, it does not have a Nobu or the accompanying prices. Charlies Fish House is next to the dive store, and on the water, and has Stone Crab Claws. Crackers Restaurant, also on the water, is a little further North on Route 19 and also has good seafood. Reservations were not needed when we were there. Wine is frequently served by the bulk carafe in Crystal River. You may need to do some coaching on opening a bottle of wine. Get a cultural grip and remember you are here for the Manatees.
There is a Publix supermarket a mile or so past the Holiday Inn for essentials and wine and beer.
Afternoons
Since you will be chilled after a couple of hours in the water in the morning, you may want to do some terrestrial activity in the afternoons. Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park is a few miles south on Route 19. This park has a great assortment of rehabing Mantees, local birds, exotic mammals and other critters (technical term). I got some of my best flamingo portraits here. This is easily a half day and is family oriented. The day we were there, almost every bird seemed to think is was spring and there was courting behavior all over the place despite the cold snap.
Logistics
Best Season is January to March. Colder water, 68F, brings in more Manatees from the Gulf.
Snorkelling only, no free Diving down. Wet suits necessary, can be rented on site.
Fly into Tampa - car rentals can be very expensive, even for Florida.
DIVE BOAT AND STORE SUPPORT: BIRDS UNDERWATER
320 N.W. Highway 19
Crystal River, FL 34428
Run by Bill & Diane Oestreich for 20 years
800 771-2763
bird@birdsunderwater.com
http://www.birdsunderwater.com/
Get to the store / Dock at 6:15 am Store is open till the boats leave. Dock is at the side of the store.
HOURS Shop is open 9-5 every day year round.
Rhonda, Christine (boat Guide), Marty
$35 per person per day
Morning trips are the best 6:15 am & 11am
reservations are required.
This year 150 at 3 Sisters, Kings springs maybe 250
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express about a mile form the Dock / Store. Mention Birds Underwater for a discount. THERE IS A HOTEL right next to the Store as well. See the Birds Website, they have a ton of info.
Having your own boat makes no difference, and may make crowded conditions worse. At Three Sisters, after leaving the boat, you are moving past a roped sanctuary and up a barricaded stream to the 3 sisters spring. It is a five minute swim. It has two foot openings to allow Manatees and kayaks and not much else. Photographers with long strobe arms should have arms extended and pass cameras sideways. Strobe arms are a consideration. See the DOs and DON'Ts section below. Visitors are required to view the Fish & Wildlife Video on Manatee behavior and proper conduct.
COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY PERMITS
A Commercial Photo Permit is required for Kings Springs if you will be publishing photos as a professional. If you are using Three Sisters, a permit not required as of this writing, but this could change in the next couple of months. The permit costs $100 and can only be made by check or money order. They prefer to have the fee mailed ahead of time. Florida Fish & Wildlife is near the Dive store and the fee can be dropped off if necessary. For more info, contact Ivan Vicente of Florida Fish & Wildlife, at 352-563-3088 x 213. All shooting for this article was at Three Sisters.
HOTELS
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, they offer a discount for Birds Underwater customers, we paid $85 a night. Wi-Fi is included. It is a mile or so from the dock. There are also a Best Western close by and a Plantation Inn. The Holiday Inn Exp is diver friendly, we were routinely walking through the lobby in wetsuits.
FOOD
Crystal River has lots of casual dining, it does not have a Nobu or the accompanying prices. Charlies Fish House is next to the dive store, and on the water, and has Stone Crab Claws. Crackers Restaurant, also on the water, is a little further North on Route 19 and also has good seafood. Reservations were not needed when we were there. Wine is frequently served by the bulk carafe in Crystal River. You may need to do some coaching on opening a bottle of wine. Get a cultural grip and remember you are here for the Manatees.
There is a Publix supermarket a mile or so past the Holiday Inn for essentials and wine and beer.
Afternoons
Since you will be chilled after a couple of hours in the water in the morning, you may want to do some terrestrial activity in the afternoons. Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park is a few miles south on Route 19. This park has a great assortment of rehabing Mantees, local birds, exotic mammals and other critters (technical term). I got some of my best flamingo portraits here. This is easily a half day and is family oriented. The day we were there, almost every bird seemed to think is was spring and there was courting behavior all over the place despite the cold snap.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
WHITE MOUNTAINS - NEW HAMPSHIRE
Been going for years. Here are some favorite areas. Activities: Hiking, Guided nature walks,Canoeing, Biking, Photography, Mount Washington visit, scenic drives, eating.
FRANCONIA NOTCH Off Route 93 near Littleton
1) The Flume - boardwalked Waterfalls and cataracts - easy walk about a mile circle.
2) The Basin - nice pools, VERY easy Walk
3) Cannon Mountain - take the gondola for the view (Wild Black Bears up there too)
BRETON WOODS on 302
Mount Washington Hotel / Breton Woods Ski Area - Good hotels in the area. Upper crust.
CRAWFORD NOTCH on 302
Some of best views and short hikes. Hike Mt Willard about 1/2 hour for a breathtaking view of the Crawford Notch Valley.
Arathusa Falls Crawford Notch
- 2.5 hour hike one way to GORGEOUS 200' waterfall. Medium difficulty trail, medium steepness, some small streams to cross. Tip toe on a few rocks. Climb over branches.
BARTLETT / Attitash Ski Area - 302, South End of Crawford Notch
Hotels and condos here good base of operations - should have reasonable prices.
Grant's Food market at the intersection of 16 & 302 - good selection & quality for a small market.
PINKHAM NOTCH / MT WASHINGTON Valley
BASE CAMP at Applachian Mountain CLUB Route 16
Mount Washinton is a big deal and dominates the area. Major Facility. Get your bearings here at the Base Camp. Go here on your first day of activity to get a good orientation to the area. Guidebooks for sale and maps / Weather / Safety info. Courses in all kinds of outdoor stuff. Plan activities around the weather. It always rains some days. Base for the hike to the summit of Mount Washington - 4 hour up, 4 hours down. Not a beginner hike - over a mile high.
GLEN ELLIS FALLS
Short, easy hike with FABULOUS Waterfalls. Across the street from AMC Base Camp.
DRIVING TO THE SUMMIT OF Mount Washington.
Take the Auto road for a difficult and BREATHTAKING "white knuckle" drive. Narrow, no guardrails.
Alternates - take the Guide bus. Bring camera and lots of film and jackets and pray for clear weather. Temperature drops quickly up there. Highest winds on earth - ever - were recorded there.
You could also take the Cog Railway back in Breton Woods on the other side of the Mountain near Breton Woods.
JACKSON off Route 16, South of Pinkham Notch
The Inn at Thorn Hill Have not eaten here yet but it reminds one of the Pitcher Inn in Vermont. Upper crust.
Wentworth - Inn and Restaurant and Country Club Elegant & Expensive Hot tubs / fireplaces Upper crust.
Thompson House Eatery - loud pub atmosphere, Innovative menu the way Wildcat Tavern USED TO BE.
Wildcat Tavern - Hotel and Restaurant. Used to be a great place, now serves Mac & Cheese. Used to be owned by THREE CHEFS, they sold it several years ago. New owners have made it into a "Disney Cuisine" place.
Ravenwood Curio Shoppe - Like the unusual, strange and weird. This is for you.
NORTH CONWAY
Outlet heaven/hell
Shopping and choking traffic jams on weekends plan on an hour to go 3 miles. Some OK restaurants.
Shaws Grocery shopping at the south end of town.
KANKAMANGUS HIGHWAY / LOON
Loon Ski Area should have good hotels condos
Scenic switchback highway. Great views, go slow and enjoy the views, stop at the overlooks. Not central to the rest of the area. Easy to head home from here.
Bear Notch road is an important connecting road to 302 that will cut off an hour by allowing you to bypass CONWAY.
Accomodations - Try to stay central like Bartlet / Attitash or Jackson for the Food and Inns
FRANCONIA NOTCH Off Route 93 near Littleton
1) The Flume - boardwalked Waterfalls and cataracts - easy walk about a mile circle.
2) The Basin - nice pools, VERY easy Walk
3) Cannon Mountain - take the gondola for the view (Wild Black Bears up there too)
BRETON WOODS on 302
Mount Washington Hotel / Breton Woods Ski Area - Good hotels in the area. Upper crust.
CRAWFORD NOTCH on 302
Some of best views and short hikes. Hike Mt Willard about 1/2 hour for a breathtaking view of the Crawford Notch Valley.
Appalachian Mountain Club - Highland Center at Crawford Notch - BIG facility, free activities, Nature walks, guided tours. This is the Southern branch of what happens at the the main facility in Pinkham Notch. Mount Washington lies in between the two facilities. Maybe they are an hour apart by car.
- The pond in the back is a great sunset walk, takes about an hour.
- Starting point for Mount Willard a 45 minute hike to see one of the BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK VIEWS in the White Mountains.
Arathusa Falls Crawford Notch
- 2.5 hour hike one way to GORGEOUS 200' waterfall. Medium difficulty trail, medium steepness, some small streams to cross. Tip toe on a few rocks. Climb over branches.
BARTLETT / Attitash Ski Area - 302, South End of Crawford Notch
Hotels and condos here good base of operations - should have reasonable prices.
White Mountain Cider Co - New Restaurant / Shop and deli. Restaurant looks REALLY good have not tried yet. Not Upper Crust stuffy, but looks like hip Greenwich Village Innovative.
Grant's Food market at the intersection of 16 & 302 - good selection & quality for a small market.
PINKHAM NOTCH / MT WASHINGTON Valley
BASE CAMP at Applachian Mountain CLUB Route 16
Mount Washinton is a big deal and dominates the area. Major Facility. Get your bearings here at the Base Camp. Go here on your first day of activity to get a good orientation to the area. Guidebooks for sale and maps / Weather / Safety info. Courses in all kinds of outdoor stuff. Plan activities around the weather. It always rains some days. Base for the hike to the summit of Mount Washington - 4 hour up, 4 hours down. Not a beginner hike - over a mile high.
GLEN ELLIS FALLS
Short, easy hike with FABULOUS Waterfalls. Across the street from AMC Base Camp.
DRIVING TO THE SUMMIT OF Mount Washington.
Take the Auto road for a difficult and BREATHTAKING "white knuckle" drive. Narrow, no guardrails.
Alternates - take the Guide bus. Bring camera and lots of film and jackets and pray for clear weather. Temperature drops quickly up there. Highest winds on earth - ever - were recorded there.
You could also take the Cog Railway back in Breton Woods on the other side of the Mountain near Breton Woods.
JACKSON off Route 16, South of Pinkham Notch
The Inn at Thorn Hill Have not eaten here yet but it reminds one of the Pitcher Inn in Vermont. Upper crust.
Wentworth - Inn and Restaurant and Country Club Elegant & Expensive Hot tubs / fireplaces Upper crust.
Thompson House Eatery - loud pub atmosphere, Innovative menu the way Wildcat Tavern USED TO BE.
Wildcat Tavern - Hotel and Restaurant. Used to be a great place, now serves Mac & Cheese. Used to be owned by THREE CHEFS, they sold it several years ago. New owners have made it into a "Disney Cuisine" place.
Ravenwood Curio Shoppe - Like the unusual, strange and weird. This is for you.
NORTH CONWAY
Outlet heaven/hell
Shopping and choking traffic jams on weekends plan on an hour to go 3 miles. Some OK restaurants.
Shaws Grocery shopping at the south end of town.
KANKAMANGUS HIGHWAY / LOON
Loon Ski Area should have good hotels condos
Scenic switchback highway. Great views, go slow and enjoy the views, stop at the overlooks. Not central to the rest of the area. Easy to head home from here.
Bear Notch road is an important connecting road to 302 that will cut off an hour by allowing you to bypass CONWAY.
Accomodations - Try to stay central like Bartlet / Attitash or Jackson for the Food and Inns
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
ALASKA 2010 Trip Log
Alaska, May – June 2010
Travel Agent:
Travel Pavillion - Gladys - 732-290-1025
Gladys has gotten us 50% off the best Car rental deals that were available on the best Net consolidators.
ANCHORAGE
- Downtown Hotels: Sheraton, Marriot, Captain Cook, Hilton
- Restaurants:
· Simon & Seaforts 907-274-3502 – great seafood plus a great view. A MUST
· Sacks Café 907-276-3546 or 274-4022 INVENTIVE
· Orso - 907-222-3232 “Mediterranean cooked with as many Alaskan ingredients as possible”
· Marx Brothers
TALKEETNA 2 – 3 hrs north of Anchorage, southern base of Denali National Park
· Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge 907-733-9500 Nice accommodations, GREAT Restaurant and wine list, really THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN.
· K2 Aviation (907) 733-2291 Several flights around Mount McKinley with or without Glacier landing. FANTASTIC.
· Talkeetna River Guides 800-353-2677
HOMER – 4 - 5 hours south of Anchorage
· Land’s End Hotel 907-235-0400 At the end of the 4 mile Homer Spit. GREAT RESTAURANT and Wine List. QUIRKY Resort, nice rocky beach and view of Kachemak Bay / Mountains. THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN other than B&Bs and fishing cabins. Homer is the “Halibut fishing capital of the world.
· Bald Mountain Air Astute and knowledgable Bear Viewing flights to Katmai National Park 800-478-7969 or 907-235-7969
- Smoke Salmon (the BEST): Tustumena Smokehouse 907-262-0421 on the road to Homer, six miles south of Soldotna.
- Smoke Salmon (the BEST): Tustumena Smokehouse 907-262-0421 on the road to Homer, six miles south of Soldotna.
WHITTIER – 1.5 hour south of Anchorage
· Whitter is separated from civilization by a 2.3 mile long tunnel straddling railroad tracks (toll). Check the schedule carefully we almost missed the boat because of tunnel timing (Alternating one-way traffic)
· The Inn at Whittier 907-472-3200 THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN. Great architecture and view of the mountains. Mediocre restaurant. Not well managed. No competition. One hour from Anchorage. Try to avoid staying here. Make the drive after a tour of Prince William Sound.
· Alaska Heritage Tours 877-777-2805 Day Cruises on Prince William Sound: Otters, Whales, Dolphins, Sea Birds, Glacier calving, Seals, Eagles, etc. Boat name: Glacier Explorer. Nobody in town knows the name Alaska Heritage Tours. Get very explicit directions. Boat & crew is very good. Alaska Heritage Tours is clueless, they put us on a boat in Seward and gave us incorrect times. It all worked out fine however.
From 2005 Trip
COOPER LANDING - about 2 - 2.5 hours from Anchorage
- Tours: Alaska River Adventures - George Heim 907-595-2000 or 888-836-9027 Very well run Kenai River Tours. Perhaps the best river trip we have done. Saw so much wildlife in a concentrated setting. Eagles, Grizzly Bear cubs, birds galore, running salmon and "combat fishing."
- Lodging: Riverhaven - Cabins on the River 907-595-2222
SEWARD - about 3 hours from Anchorage
- Lodging: Hotel Seward (907) 224-8001 Nice place, good restaurants nearby such as Rays or Chinooks.
- Resurrection Bay Tours: Kenai Fjords Tours 1-888-ALASKA-8
- Alaska Sealife Center: good Aquarium
- Hiking EXIT Glacier
From 2005 Trip
COOPER LANDING - about 2 - 2.5 hours from Anchorage
- Tours: Alaska River Adventures - George Heim 907-595-2000 or 888-836-9027 Very well run Kenai River Tours. Perhaps the best river trip we have done. Saw so much wildlife in a concentrated setting. Eagles, Grizzly Bear cubs, birds galore, running salmon and "combat fishing."
- Lodging: Riverhaven - Cabins on the River 907-595-2222
SEWARD - about 3 hours from Anchorage
- Lodging: Hotel Seward (907) 224-8001 Nice place, good restaurants nearby such as Rays or Chinooks.
- Resurrection Bay Tours: Kenai Fjords Tours 1-888-ALASKA-8
- Alaska Sealife Center: good Aquarium
- Hiking EXIT Glacier
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