Here is the link to the photo album. Slide Show is on the pull down menu:
People always say that most points
of interest in Cincinnati can be visited on foot or via public transportation.
I took the opportunity when
IAI (International Association of Identification) Conference was held there.
Tagged along with Wu-Liang, visitors to Cincinnati soon discover what
locals have known for years - it is a city divided (by Vine Street). There are
two distinct parts of the city: East and West. The East is more
modern and populated by many transferees and young successful families.
The West is older and more conservative - home to many who
"built" the city working at P&G or GE. The city center is
older and parts are a bit run-down, but there is still charm.
06 August 2016
LAX, Ramen, Delta Air, Hyatt Regency Hotel
Parked at LAX Hilton as usual and the shuttle took us right
on. Luckily, we pre-check-in Delta Air already and it surely saved us lots of
time. Filled up our stomachs with ramen. Boy, it is expensive at the airport.
Hyatt Regency is at a good location right across the street
from Duke Energy Center and just a few blocks from football stadium. We
were given a disability room equipped with devices specially made for disabled
people. Beds were not comfortable and sheets smelled.
07 August 2016
Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Carew Tower, Fountain Square
We tried out
our first breakfast buffet at the Red Roost Tavern since we were given 1 free
voucher. The red roost tavern is pretty much only good for
drinks because the buffet is only mediocre.
You can walk
right out door to major retail shopping and other restaurants, connected by
skywalk bridges. Can you imagine our first visits were Macy’s and Saks?
The elevator
rides us to the 49th floor Observation Deck of the Carew Tower. Awesome view
from the top!! We walked around it for about 10-15 minutes. There is a very big
variety of shopping options inside the center as well. There is a
fee to get to the observation deck ($8).
Fountain Square
always has something actually going on. You get to see amazing bands for free. They
have a giant TV screen on one of the buildings that usually has the reds game
on or Olympic games. It's a cool place to hang out with people and have a
drink, enjoy the scenery. The Tyler Davidson fountain is gorgeous and is the
statement piece and reason that Fountain Square is what it
is.
08 August 2016
Great American Ball Park, Hilton Orchid Palm, Mr. Sushi
It's clear that the Reds are very proud of their past, and
wanted that incorporated as much as possible when building this park. After
being there and taking the tour, it's meant to look like ballparks from back in
the day; and I can appreciate it. Located directly on the bank of the Ohio
River, this major league venue can fit 42,300+, has great sightlines, vibrantly
colored red seats, and friendly staff. I even won a bobble head figurine of Paul O’Neil when I
played “Spin the Wheel”. I learned a lot from those Reds fans.
Took out “Crispy Fish” as lunch from the Orchid Palm of
Hilton across our hotel. Surprisingly, it was super good!
Our experience at Mr. Sushi is always exceptional and the
fact that all rolls are half off after 4 p.m. is amazing. Especially
when Wu Liang misplaced his credit card in the restaurant and retrieved it the
next day!
09 August 2016
Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Market Place,
Istanbul Cafe
Unfortunately, I got bug bites all over my right shoulder
the second night. We didn't interact much with the hotel staff until then. At
that moment, another much nicer room was reassigned to us, plus $100 was
deducted as compensation. The lovely staff Trisha kept giving us
restaurant vouchers, probably tried to keep us from filing complaint.
This museum thoroughly discusses when slaves first arrived in America to
becoming free after the Civil War. For $13 you can take time
and learn about some very pivotal events in the timeline of the anti-slavery
movement. Oh my, the stories and the ingenuity behind the fight for
freedom! It's a painful part of history and all should experience it regardless
of race. I'm extremely eternally grateful for the people with the courage
to fight and risk their lives for what they believed to be right.
Grabbed a “Spinach and Mushroom Bagel” from the hotel market place as my
late lunch.
Hubby and I ventured Istanbul Café for an excellent lamb chop and
vegetable soup from this Lebanese/Turkish style restaurant. While it was good,
I didn't notice any Mediterranean flare. The last cup of Turkish coffee is
nothing special, similar to espresso.
10 August 2016
Taft Museum, Fusian, Netherland Plaza
We visited Taft Museum and the Downton Abbey costume exhibit.
It was beautiful and interesting. For anyone who was a fan of the series, this
exhibit not only displays the actual costumes worn in the series, it explains
what scenes the costumes were worn in, and by which character. Also
displayed behind many of the clothes are large photos of the actors wearing
them in the scenes. We were delighted to find some gorgeous portraiture by
Rembrandt, Hals, Ingres, Gainsborough and Goya, along with an impressive collection
of Turner landscapes and Limoges porcelains. The mansion is a work of art
in itself.
Fusian is like Subway for sushi. Expensive roll for the type
of sushi we typically order. However we did enjoy getting to see the sushi
being made and the ingredients being added one by one.
The main room inside the Hilton Hotel, Netherland Plaza, was
a masterpiece of Deco architecture, not seen in many places now. Thank goodness
they preserved this historic hotel for the history/artist buff in me. The hotel
is very art deco with wonderful architecture and the Hall of Mirrors is a
wonderful place to have a large event.
11 August 2016
Contemporary Art Center, Taylor Southgate Bridge, Newport
on the Levee, Mitchell’s Fish Market, James Taylor Park, Southbank Bridge, aka Purple
People Bridge
This CAC arts center is fantastic. There are 5 floors of
exhibits. My favorite exhibit was Do Ho Suh's fabric sculpture collection. You
can't tell if it's destruction or construction. The staff here was very
friendly and best of all admission is free! You don’t want to miss some
amazing contemporary art installations.
We walked across Taylor Southgate Bridge under the scorching
sun to get to Newport on the Levee in Kentucky. While at the Levee you can
get some great views of Cincinnati across the river. We didn’t stay for the
Seafood Festival later at sunset though.
We tried lunch at Mitchell’s Fish Market. The atmosphere and
view of Cincinnati is incredible. Plus the location in anew port on the Levee
is superb. The food was average, nothing to brag about really.
After lunch, we strolled over to General James Taylor Park. This
park is at the west end of riverboat row in Newport. We saw a group of
Macy’s volunteers conducting cleaning work. Super!
It's cool to walk from Kentucky to Ohio and look out over
the river. This is a pretty neat experience. Bridge connects downtown Cincinnati
to a really cool city of Newport. Upkeep of the bridge is done and it is
awesome that this bridge is even there.
Finally we tried out the first and only dinner at our hotel
Red Roost Tavern. Hubby ordered mussels and pork belly and mine was flatbread.
All turned out delicious.
12 August 2016
Mr.
Sushi, 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, IAI farewell dinner at Duke Energy
Convention Center
We visited SoHo Mr. Sushi again to thank them keeping
hubby’s lost credit card. It so happened hubby’s friend Tony Ruan joined us
prior to his early departure. We shared rolls, udon, tempura, etc.
21c is a fabulous and fun hotel with terrific vibe. The
contemporary art is intriguing and all galleries are open 24 hours. The hotel
as a whole is sleek and modern.
Last meal was spent with the usual IAI final meeting, with
chairperson exchange and staff honored. The meals were not bad, with both
vegetarian dishes ordered.
13 August 2016
Executive Shuttle to CVG, Bagel at CVG, LAX Hilton
shuttle back to Hilton, Home
Finally, I spent my birthday again traveling. At least we
arrived home safe and sound. Until next year, IAI!
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