Jen's Journeys

07/18/2024

“The Hippie Bus” - The Longest Bus Route in the World

Did you know that there was once a London-Calcutta- London Bus. It was operated by a company called Albert Travel. The bus’s official name was the Albert Travel double decker bus it was originally and woefully called “Indiaman”

Often referred to as the "Hippie Bus," this route took a fascinating overland journey that operated primarily from the 1950s until the 1970s. This 50 day long route was popular among adventurous travelers looking to explore different cultures and landscapes along the way.

Who took this bus?!?!
Well, it was an eclectic mix of tourists, backpackers, and those seeking spiritual enlightenment in the East.

Where did it go??!?
This journey of ten thousand miles took several weeks to complete. The route typically went through countries like France, Italy, Yugoslavia (now Croatia, Serbia, etc.), Bulgaria,Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The extensive route gave passengers the opportunity to experience a wide variety of cultures, cuisines, music, weather and geography.

How much did it cost?
The cost of the trip one-way was £85 in 1957 (equivalent to £2,589 in 2023) and £145 in 1973 (equivalent to £2,215 in 2023). This amount included food, travel and accommodation.[3

How long did it take?
The trip took approximately 50 days. It was more tour focused than efficiency focused. The bus would stop at important tourist destinations and it also made shopping stops in certain cities so that participants could pick up token of their time in the countries they experienced.

What was the bus like?!?!
Buses were often modified for the long-distance travel required, and they were equipped with sleeping bunks, kitchens, and storage for passengers' belongings. There was a focus on music -the bus had a radio and a music system for spontaneous bus parties. The buses also had an observation deck area so that passengers could enjoy a Birds Eye view of the landscapes.

Air travels advanced and affordability, along with geopolitical issues in many of the countries that the bus passed through, brought an end to the bus.

For those lucky few, during those three decades, the bus was an incredible way to experience the sights, sounds, flora, fauna, people and culture of so many far off lands.

I would have loved to take this bus! Would you have taken this bus?

05/27/2024

Memorial Day Weekend 2024
Plymouth, MA

04/10/2024

A Tall ( but all too true) Tale

Many years back, I was in lovely Londontown to conduct a few hotel inspections.

As I was in the St James’ larea and “dressed and pressed” I decided to drop in and introduce myself at the Ritz. It turned out that the manager, Umberto, knew my then FIL who is a lovely man.

Umberto and I instantly hit it off and I sure that I made him feel sorry for me with my terrible attempts at Italian. Nevertheless the bonded over my Italian dog, Sofia Loren, Dante Alegeri and Florentine food. It was then that Umberto offered me to stay the night at the Ritz when I returned from my onward journey to Rome and Florence, so I could properly experience the property before I hopped on a plane back to NYC

I went to Italy and saw more properties, made more lovely industry friends, and found some AMAZING Murano pieces at a favorite little market ( no, I only share this hidden gem with paying clients 😉) In Florence, I bought Umberto some of his favorite foods and I loaded up on paper goods and books for myself and my daughters.

Because of all this mad shopping, I had to buy two ugly plastic multicolored bags that you see at airports and bus stations… you know the really tragic ones….

Then I fly from Florence to London, and hop on the express train where Umberto promised there would be a driver for me so that I could report and write about the transfer experience. Well, the car and driver were there, but they weren’t any driver and car- oh, no, my driver was in full livery uniform with a Rills Royce Phantom!t

There I am coiffed and well dressed (I’m going to the Ritz after all), but I’m huffing and puffing with my Italian loot! And, much like Marley’s ghost, I am dragging the chains of my Italian excesses only they aren’t chains they are the now the slightly ratty plastic bags which instead of clanging, are shredding ( Murano fans - the lights were safe in layers of Italian newspaper) No worries, I decide, this is funny, quite ironic, and nobody knows me, so I hop in my modern day Cinderella carriage.

However, fate, the gods of Italian bargain shopping, karma or perhaps a past life were not quite done with me yet….,

As we pulled up to the Ritz London, the original Ritz, the Putting on the Ritz, Ritz. Yes, THAT one. I see a gaggle of people, civilians and paparazzi, at the corner with cell phones poised, clearly waiting for someone famous. They took one look at our car slowly and purposefully rolling to the side entrance with the gravitas that only a rolls Royce can muster, and they all start heading to the car. “Oh, p**p 💩!” ( or something in that general sentiment) I thought. Boy are THEY going to be disappointed. So I waited to get out of the car hoping they or I would suddenly disappear.

The driver then came round to get me and people collectively got closer together and closer to the car. Oh “p**pty pop on a mountain of p**p 💩” thought I. I hope they are waiting for some old dusty royal fart so the disappointment won’t be too bad- for then or for me.

I ginally was coaxed out by my driver to a chorus of “who’s that!?! She’s not famous!!!!“ and then, just when I thought I couldn’t get more Fellinesque, the plastic bags came out and there was a LITERAL collective sigh of great disappointment from the crowd. Not only was I not famous, or not important, but the bags completely shattered the illusion that you had to have money to stay at the Ritz!!

Poor Umberto! Luckily he and the staff found the whole thing hysterical and I was promptly given a glass of champagne.

If you’d like to hear the rest of my pretty fab Cinderella story, please let me know in the comments.

Picture of me with Umberto today in NYC. Yes, he still speaks to me. Yes, I’m tall, especially for Italian 🇮🇹 standards 😂 No, I will never live that day down 😂

04/08/2024

Local friends, the NYC area will experience a 90 percent partial solar eclipse- a pretty great % for a “only” a partial.

The event is set to start at 2:10 p.m. in tbe NY area. The event will continue until 4:36 pm- for a total of two hours and 26 minutes. The best time to see the partial eclipse in New York City is at 3:25 p.m.

If you are curious, and want to want to make this once in a lifetime event special, and you have more dash than cash, then dash on down to the USS Intrepid. The Intrepid is graciously hosting a free, first come first serve watch party, on their flight deck. But, wait, there’s more….. the Intrepid will have experts on hand to explain the cosmic phenomenon.

If you have a few bucks to fork out, then head on down to the American History Museum, they are opening up the Arthur Ross Terrace for spectators— weather permitting. The New York Hall of Science is also throwing a family-friendly educational event.

Many of the city's iconic landmarks are celebrating with special events, like sky-high views from the Empire State Building's observation decks, One World Trade Center's observatory, The Edge at Hudson Yards and the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.

The Parks Department will hold free watch parties across the five boroughs at Freshkills Park on Staten Island, Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk in Queens, Bowling Green Parade Ground in Brooklyn, Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan and Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.

Shirley Chisholm State Park is also throwing a watch party with a hike up to its highest point, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will open its lawns for a free community viewing with eclipse glasses from Warby Parker.

Watch from the water on the Classic Harbor Line's Solar Eclipse Viewing Cruise, or gather for a gong-bath at Green-Wood Cemetery.

This science geek is so excited! 🤓The only thing missing is my dear Gemma Donati - we are going to have to chase the next one together.❤️

No matter where folks see this spectacular spectacle, the most important thing is to protect your eyes. Here is a link where you can pick up free solar glasses 👓 in the NYC area

New Yorkers can get the limited edition solar eclipse safety glasses at 30 locations statewide. See the list.