Newark

[Diver_Dave]

Not sure if this is a Nightstop or SLF Forum question
as it's a bit of a hybrid.

In October I have the delight of 2 weeks in Mexico
doing a Cave diving course.

Now workingthe flights out, our cheapest option
was MAN - EWR - CUN (and vice versa)

On the way out we arrive mid afternoon EWR and
depart the next morning for CUN. The layover on
the way back is only 4hrs or so.

Now my questions are.

1) I personally don't think I'm stupid but the range of options
for getting into Manhattan for an afternoon / evening is huge! Any suggestions?
Also for getting back! We've an airport hotel booked
for the night.

2) Seriously, what are check in times like at the moment? Is the UK 2-3
hrs in advance going to be enough?

3) Why on earth did I decide to do a course that sees me spending
1-2hrs a time underwater and in a cave?

4) Go on, what's the must eat there place for Manhattan?

5) What is the Continental service MAN - EWR 757 service like?

Thanks for any help.

DA

[ryansf]

1) I personally don't think I'm stupid but the range of options
for getting into Manhattan for an afternoon / evening is huge! Any suggestions?
Also for getting back! We've an airport hotel booked
for the night.

Take an Amtrak or NJ Transit train to Penn Station in Mid-town New York...by far the quickest way! Shouldn't be too expensive.

2) Seriously, what are check in times like at the moment? Is the UK 2-3
hrs in advance going to be enough?

Depends on the airline/time/plane size etc etc. It's only a 757 with less than 200 seats so I'd say 2 hours is enough. Go at whenever Continental says you should go!

3) Why on earth did I decide to do a course that sees me spending
1-2hrs a time underwater and in a cave?

I'm afraid I can't answer that!

4) Go on, what's the must eat there place for Manhattan?

Depends on your tastes/budget. There's plenty to eat around Times Square - my personal favourite is the Hard Rock Cafe - huge burger, drink and 'fries' for around $10.

5) What is the Continental service MAN - EWR 757 service like?

I flew this a few months ago and it was quite a good flight. Outbound had AVOD at each seat but the inbound had overhead screens. I would use Continental again with no hesitation!

[Michael SWS]

The train from Newark Liberty airport to Penn station costs $15 each way and runs until late at night.

The "must-eat" places in Manhattan change constantly, but when I was last there the "happening" place was Cookshop at 10th Avenue/20th St ($50 a head). Reservations essential.

[Pax Vobiscum]

Absolutely agree - use the train! You can also get trains that terminate at Hoboken and then take a ferry across to Manhattan, which is a fun way to arrive (apologies to regular readers, who've been bored by this tale previously)

For food, if you haven't eaten at a NY steakhouse, you haven't lived! My favo(u)rites are Gallagher's (a former prohibition speakeasy, not far from Times Square - there's a franchise in Newark airport, too, but I haven't tried it) and Keens (two blocks from Penn station and the Empire State Building).

Hope you aren't a vegetarian! Have you heard the one about the veggie who went into a restaurant in Wyoming?
Veggie: What do you recommend for a vegetarian?
Waitress: Son, I recommend you get the hell out of Wyoming!

[Diver_Dave]

Thanks..... Any more?

For the replies so far.

Anyone else got any more info / recommendations to add?

Regards

DaveA

[groundhand]

Train every time.

To eat, if you're splashing the cash:

Mortons (of Chicago) - amazing steaks, lobster etc
Tavern on the Green - on the edge of Central Park, great for a post meal stroll.
Advise that for all the good restaurants you need a booking.

Enjoy, wherever you decide to eat.

..and cave diving?
Certifiable!

GH

[JEM60]

Excellent budget meal, TGI Fridays between 51st and Times square.

[FlyingConsultant]

What's your hotel budget?

When do you leave in the morning?

Easiest way mught just be the Hotel at EWR (Hilton I believe). Train to New York, fun evening, back to hotel.

[Diver_Dave]

Thanks

To everyone who's replied.

It's given us a few things to plan!

Looks like the train to Penn and we'll see from there!

Regarding the Diving.

From the interest I've had I thought
I'd bung a couple of links up.

One is where we're staying and the other is my instructors site.

Some very nice pictures.
(Even if the music on the first is annoying.)

Villas DeRosa Resort Cave-Diving
Labnaha --- Technical & Cave Training Xploration Center

Oh and for interest.....

It's cheaper to spend 2 weeks and do the course in Mexico
than to do it in a Flooded Slate mine in Wales

Not a little bit either! Over 50%!

That's including Accomodation and Meals which
aren't included in th UK price.

Didn't really have a choice did I :-)

Thanks again, regards to all....


DaveA

[call100]

Not to mention warmer.....

[PaperTiger]

Easiest way mught just be the Hotel at EWR (Hilton I believe).

It's a Marriott.

[Basil]

Go on, what's the must eat there place for Manhattan?

You could try the Four Seasons - about $150pp depending on choice of wine.
The Gazpacho, Lobster & Fillet steak come highly recommended.


Taxi in to town can, if you are unlucky, be driven by someone who smells worse than a Parisienne tramp so, perhaps, the train is a better (and faster) option.

doing a Cave diving course

Ah, err, as a colleague once said to a rather punchy Ninja rider FO "Do you mind if I take out a whole life policy on you?"

[Diver_Dave]

And again

A friend of mine, who describes himself
as, and I quote.

A stroppy New York *** from Brooklyn (he includes a racial ephitat
in there as well, I'll leave it out to be PC).

Has suggested Lugers Steakhouse.

Ignore the service standards, he says...

Comments anyone?

DaveA

Oh and inregard to the course, I've just got the theory books
through. Anyone who's doe an Open University course will
have an idea of what I've just got! All 6 of them.

This is alongside the OU 326 I'm studying at the moment!

Brain hurts!

DaveA