Hello New York City

Travel day today, so let’s keep this brief.

We both appreciated the sleep-in. Turns out days spent snorkeling, hiking, and dodging iguanas take more out of you than expected. National Geographic Lindblad’s end-to-end service once again proved flawless. Our airport transfer and flight check-in were handheld with a Spanish speaking guide right to security.

The Priority Pass lounge at Guayaquil International was a welcome slice of calm before the long haul north. Our Avianca flight to New York’s JFK departed on time and even landed early (a travel miracle considering the US government shut down). Sadly, the miracle ended at ground level. It took longer to get out of JFK than it did to cross a lava field. Despite breezing through immigration (thank you MPC app!) and collecting our luggage quickly, New York traffic had other plans. We finally rolled into the hotel around 1 a.m., equal parts relieved and delirious.

Our home in NYC is the newly refurbished and gloriously grand Waldorf Astoria. After years of hoarding Hilton Honors points, we managed to score five nights “on the house.” Imposter syndrome kicked in immediately. From the impeccably uniformed doormen to the glimmering Art Deco interiors, everything screamed old-school glamour. For now, though, the only luxury we truly needed was sleep...zzz

Day 17: Iguanas yesterday, imposter syndrome today

Last minute purchase. Ecuadorian chocolate for snacks on the plane!

Spacious with plenty of natural light

And charging stations. The food was average but that's ok

The gamble paid off. Empty middle seat!

Sigh...this was at 11:30pm

The dumb, cheap Aussies hanging on to our suitcases 

Our corner room. A bad photo but I'm too tired

A whiff of home

Close enough!

The cake was lovely

As was the champagne

We had to look up the champagne...apparently the official champagne of the British Royal Family since Queen Victoria

Everything is classy but it was hard to know what was free. The macarons were! 

So was the fancy water

Even the tapware was fancy

Bathroom

Guess will be taking more baths!