Travelling around the USA

On our tour we crossed the country from East to West and from North to South by bus, plane and by car, only both of us; and I must say - this tour was one of the most exiting experiences we ever had. The USA is a country of exceptional natural beauty and fascinating cities. Also the people were very friendly and happy to assist us. We've got such pleasant and great impressions, that I'm very sure - we will return one day!

We began our tour with New York. This fascinating, powerful and gigantic world metropolis with its pulsating life captivated us soon and got us in the proper mood for our American tour. Most memorable experiences were a visit of the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center in Manhattan Downtown. New York with all the skyscrapers, its super Malls and pulsating life was a very new and great experience. We stepped in at " Macy’s" and “Manhattan Mall” and have been absolutely impressed by the dimension of these shopping centres and the unimaginable range of goods. Never before have seen anything like that. Now we know, what it means “shopping in New York”.... A special highlight was a ride by bus through the island district Manhattan, the industrial, commercial and financial centre and the heart of this grandiose city. Here is the Wall Street with the New York Stock Exchange and here is the place, where two years later, on Sept. 11th, the terrorist attack happened, in the course of which the World Trade Center with its famous twin towers was destroyed - what a tragedy! The most exciting event for us was the visit to the Empire State Building. The outlook onto the city is absolutely impressive and makes you feel the pulse of this powerful and gigantic world metropolis. Very strange for us to realize, that the district of Harlem is a black enclave, where white tourists should not step in, as we have been told by the guide.

After a few exciting days we took the Greyhound bus and left for Washington, the elegant, spacious capital of the United States, with magnificent buildings and well tended parks. Washington is an elegant city with spacious parks, broad streets and magnificent buildings, especially in the government district. Grand Museums invite to study the political, cultural and natural history of the country. In particular the exhibits of natural history are amazing and fascinating. The famous Capitol is open to the public and we took the chance to have a look into the interior. Under the far visible dome is a magnificent entrance hall. The huge rotunda shows with a frieze under the dome, with sculptures and paintings important personalities and historic scenes of the American history.

Another highlight was the Niagara Falls - what a breathtaking experience, to ride along the bottom of the Falls and to watch them by night under coloured floodlight! The 25 miles long Niagara River is the connection between the Erie Sea and the 62 miles long Ontario Sea, which forms the Niagara Falls: in the East the American Fall (height: 180 ft / 55 m, width: 1148 ft / 350m), in the North the Canadian Fall, also called the " Horseshoe Fall", (height: 161 ft / 49 m, width: 2788 ft / 850 m. The falls are best viewed from the Canadian site, where also is located the " Skylon Tower", an observation tower, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole area and enables you to watch, how the water of the Ontario Sea pours into the Niagara falls. Most impressive for us has been a boat ride along the bottom of the falls. In this way we experienced this raging force of nature with all our senses. We heard and saw the thunderous water masses fall down from the height and the sea spray sprinkled on our raincoats. These were unforgettable and unimaginable impressions - one simply must have experienced this...

Next destination was Los Angeles. Already the landing approach by night was an unforgettable experience - an endless sea of lights for more than half an hour. Highlights of a sightseeing tour were Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Mann's Chinese Theatre, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and not least the unimaginable traffic system... Los Angeles - this is not simply a gigantic metropolis, but a monstrous union of 168 cities, where live more than 13 million people. An area, with the size of the German Federal country Schleswig-Holstein, including for example Hollywood and Beverly Hills but as well the fine sandy Californian beaches with attractive seaside resorts like Santa Monica or Venice Beach, the so-called " muscle beach" - a place for intensive fitness training. We were most impressed with the dimension of the city and the terrific traffic system. There are more than 1600 miles city highway. Once we passed a place, where 5 highways cross and the guide said, we just would ride in the 6th storey! All in all very interesting and exciting sites, but not places to live... A special highlight was the experience of old Hollywood with its loud colours and the crazy, outsized advertising. While visiting all the famous places we also walked along the " Walk of Fame". The famous sidewalk fixes with more than 2000 stars from brass the names of the Great in the show business and is leading right to the Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood's most famous and exotic cinema, where all the famous Hollywood stars left their Hand- and footprints as well as autographs - just see below. You can walk around and compare the size of your hands and feet...

The Greyhound brought us to Las Vegas then, where we rented a car for a round-trip though the Canyons in Arizona and Utah - what indescribable and unforgettable experiences! At first this world of imagination, this fascinating glamorous fairyland Las Vegas and then the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon Zion NP, Lake Powell.... The absolute highlight of the entire tour! Las Vegas truly beyond human imagination. No one can fancy the incredible wealth and variety of fantasy and ideas. It is breathtaking and fascinating - a glamorous fairyland! Unbelievable as well, the multitude and dimension of the splendid, bright illuminated gambling dens in each hotel - they are the soul and real essence of Las Vegas! Of course most casinos offer as well special poker facilities and here you may find some of the best poker rooms. With their special attractions the hotels try to excel each other and to lure as much gamblers as possible. In front of the hotel " Treasure Island" for example, two huge sailing ships ride at anchor and perform piracy, and within the MGM casino you'll even find a cage with lions! Incidentally - there is no clock in any gambling den and if yet, without hands, for - the lucky one doesn't care for time....

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