START PART2
I woke up at 0300 and decided to kill the hours before breakfast opened at 0600 in the gym. 40 min of walking and drinking 2 l of water is an efficient way to get water levels in the body back to 100%. The hotel breakfast buffet was small but adequate (no pictures because the staff was there all the time). Not long thereafter my colleagues started to arrive and work started despite the fact it was Saturday.
Rainy morning in Sterling, VI
Like that Font they use at IAD. What a concrete masterpiece it is!
UA1972 IAD-EWR B757-200 First Seat 1F. After a nonstop 5 hour meeting on Saturday morning we were done and I got a ride to Dulles and I was single again until Sunday morning meeting with the NJ team. UA1972 was from D21 so I took the train to the B51 and the Star Alliance Lounges that are located there. First stop was the Lufthansa Lounge. A pearl that was almost empty as the next LH was around 5.00 p.m. I enjoyed the fresh food and two glasses of Josh Cellars Chardonnay. I emailed the NJ team to let them know I was on my way.
Hot food options at LH Senator Lounge IAD. Sad!
Todays Cold cuts options at LH Senator Lounge IAD. Fantastic!
The Cesar salad was superb as well as the other cold cuts!
Passenger transport Dulles style!
The only plane I saw during my LH Lounge visit.
Looked like a repairman at first but wasnīt at closer inspection.
Another transporter but with chimneys. What is the difference?
Markings on the tarmac.
Detail from the Lounge. Isnīt very Lufthansa?
The Turkish Airlines lounge is very close at B41 so I headed there for a small bite before dinner. I think this lounge is the better alternative given the choice between this and the LH one. I picked a couple of small dishes and to my pleasant surprise the meat had that charcoal taste. A glass of Malbec and my favorite drink mix; cognac with Ginger Ale and a dash of tomato juice.
The TK Lounge at Dulles!
Coffee TK style! Wonderful.
Well done Chef!!
All three dishes; 5 Stars!
1 male WC, 1 female WC, 1 shower room and 1 prayer room.
The problem now was that I was at B41:ish and the UA1972 boarded at D21. That was a looooong walk that took me about 20-25 min!
Next flight.
It was clear that this was not to be a walk in the park. The plane was late and cleaning took a long time and a passenger needed medical care and two crew members missing and it was a full flight. We eventually were allowed to board and I have to say that I fell asleep right away and woke up about 40 min later we still on the ground waiting to get clearance to take off. Finally once airborne the captain mumble something about flying fast and low but I dozed away again and woke up on landing at EWR. One of the trips highlight and what a way to enjoy it ;-)
Mandatory United First Class seat.
Hilton EWR.
At EWR the hotel shuttles leaves from P4. I was lucky as the shuttle just arrived. It became full and I had my luggage in the cabin with me so at arrival I was the first to get off and first before the others at the reception. I think I got some kind of upgrade due to my HH Gold as it turned out to be a room with upgraded interior on the 10th floor with view of the EWR tarmac.
Hilton EWR. Bed.
Hilton EWR. Reading Floor Lamp.
Hilton EWR. Perfect to eat for two and watch TV.
Hilton EWR. Workspace.
Hilton EWR. Hall lamp detail. Someone did some thinking designing this place.
Hilton EWR. Bathroom.
Hilton EWR. Dawn from my window. Yes snow.
The room had a cool design and in the morning the sun did some cool effects. Sadly there were leftovers in the refrigerator that smelled badly. I had to call and get it removed.
I got 8 hour sleep and I felt like a million dollars in the morning I did check out the gym and it was PRECOR, my favorite. I spent some 90 minutes here doing a full body workout this time.
Yepp, the right stuff.
I was given the free breakfast as Hilton Gold member and was joined by one of the NJ team delegates to welcome me to the Newark site. We left the hotel at 8 a.m.
Finally a break from staff asking me if I am alright. BF at Hilton EWR.
My friend opt for three of each from this view!
I think my choice was a little bit healthier.
Lobby.
No I did not try this bar but here is the menu if you want to know.
Yes, mandatory shoot again; NY Skyline far in the distance.
Great effect as the sun comes up.
Sun on the sofa.
The pool area at Hilton EWR.
Time to go and work! Thanks Hilton EWR. I come back.
Hilton Penn Station.
After we were done for the day and I bid my company farewell I got a ride to the Hilton Penn Station. According to the driver that was my breakfast friend I had made a bad move and he insisted on change to the Hilton EWR. I understand him now but at the time I was too curious to find out more about the Penn property. In general it is clear that the Hilton Penn needs and upgrade in the rooms.
Small bathroom at the Hilton Penn Station.
Hilton Penn Station. Bed.
Hilton Penn Station. TV and work area.
Hilton Penn Station. Bed side table.
As it was Sunday evening I decided to find a restaurant. I walked thru the Penn station (great building by the way). However, lots of homeless people here but just a block away it is ok. His area has a clear Spanish and Portuguese influence and the restaurants reflect that as well. After wondering around for some time I passed Hellīs Kitchen Lounge on 150 Lafayette and maybe a burger and a beer was a god idea but it was not right somehow so I skipped the fries and the bread.
Time for something to eat.
I skipped the fries and the bread.
Fine day. I had no problem to walk around in the area. It felt safe.
The Penn Station. I think the building is protected somehow. Like the Post Office in San Diego.
The Penn Station. More details.
I walked around in the area and looked for dinner alternatives. After a while I decided that either is was to be the Elm Street Barbecue (Portuguese) or the Casa Vasca (Spanish) just a block away both on Elm Street. As it was Sunday afternoon both places were crowded so I went back to the hotel and more work. The hunger came back and I decided to go to Elm Street Barbecue as decided. It is a sports bar and restaurant and was full almost and very familiar. I guess it was because it was Sunday. I picked a fish dish from the menu based on cod. Upon arrival I found a large bit of fish fried to perfection; cod falling appart almost transparent, Super.
My cod at the Elm Street Barbecue.
I then walked back and slipped into the Tavern and Grill on 376 Market St for a Belgian White with Orange (there it was again). Back at the hotel I had a talk with the staff about the homeless situation around the hotel and fell asleep around 9 p.m.
The fallen hero on the road was now up and ready and hit the small hotel gym but sadly no PRECOR here. The workout did not work out. The Market Street Bar and Grill is the establishment that run the bar and food business on this Hilton property and this was a nice surprise. Not only was the Bloody Mary I forgot to mention I had before dinner last night perfect in taste and size but the breakfast was no different. It is small but the buffet is excellent and if seated at the widow you have the chance to look at people goring to work. Well done.
The Market Street Bar runs the service in the morning.
French toast I like.
END PART 2