A long awaited trip to New York with a detour to Vegas
Feb 23rd, 2013, 03:06 AM
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A long awaited trip to New York with a detour to Vegas
This report is rather late as we had our trip in October last year. I hope that it may help someone who is planning a trip just as it did when I read about other Fodorites holidays. Also I hope that the wonderful people who answered my questions will know that each reply was stored for information and greatly appreciated.
I surprised my husband with a trip to the States for our 30th Anniversary. I spent most nights for 6 months checking flights, weather, hotels and reviews as I planned our trip. He had no idea until I gave him the itinery at our party. We had 7 nights in NYC followed by 5 nights in Las Vegas and a night at the Grand Canyon.
Day 1
Alarm set for 4.30am for a two hour drive to the airport in Brisbane. Of course I didn’t really need an alarm as I hardly slept from excitement. It was my husband’s first trip overseas and my first to the USA. I always worry about car breakdowns on the way to the airport so I make sure we arrive with plenty of time to spare. Line up at Qantas to hand over our luggage. It never bothers me to line up at airports because I am so happy to be flying somewhere. I love airports and people watching. As a few planes are leaving at the same time we snake our way through security check. Board the plane and head for our seats. With such a long flight I chose seats up the back where there are only two seats rather than three. That way if either of us needs to use the bathroom we only wake up each other and not a stranger who has to sit next to us. I would choose those seats again if I had to. It’s more private and I felt I could relax more with just my husband in such close proximity for over 18hrs. No need to worry if my husband starts to snore or I start to drool in my sleep. Brisbane to Los Angeles is a long haul. We left at 10.30am on Friday and arrived in LA at 6.30am Friday after flying for 13 hours. Gaining a day is great. Losing it on the way home not so great. I have no complaints about the flight. It’s cramped and boring when you fly over water but I watched a few movies, kept track of the flight (counting down the hours till it was over) and tried to snuggle under the blanket to catch some sleep. All the flight attendants are lovely and a smooth flight so no complaints. Finally we land at LAX and go through customs before heading off to the departure lounge for the next leg to NYC. I don’t know whether to cringe at another 5 and a half hours flying or be happy it’s not another 13 hrs. Set my watch for NY time and settle in for more movie watching but whenever the cloud cover clears I watch the changing landscapes from the window. My excitement builds as we get closer to NY. The plane dips its wing and suddenly I see Manhattan from the distance. The first encounter with American airport security and after reading some of the fodder threads I was a bit apprehensive but other than the fact some agents don’t smile it was rather painless.
I looked for somewhere to buy a throwaway phone for hubby and a new sim for my IPhone. Can’t find anything in our terminal. I also read to buy a subway pass too but couldn’t find anywhere to buy that either. There is a huge line up for taxis but it moves along at a steady pace. It’s quite windy and for us it’s more like a winters day so on with a jacket, hat and gloves. Didn’t realise it took so long to get from the airport but everything I look at is new to me so I don’t mind the drive. We landed at 5.30pm so by the time we hit Manhattan its dark and the skyline is lit. Straining my neck to see the Empire State and the Chrysler Building. It really is a wonderful sight to see. It’s strange to see the street signs with all these numbered streets I have only heard of in movies or TV shows. I could never quite understand using numbers for streets but once I studied maps it makes perfect sense. No matter where you are, as long as you know the street you are in you can find your way by using the numbers.
We book into The Beacon Hotel on the Upper West Side. Corner of Broadway and 75th St. Wonderful hotel in a beautiful area. I couldn’t fault it. Staff was always helpful and friendly. (A big thankyou to Kenny the doorman for exceptional service) The rooms were clean, well kept and beds very comfortable. There is a little kitchenette if you wish to do your own cooking but we end up eating out for every meal. There is a big market (Fairway) across the road with everything you need including readymade meals that would only require heating. I love walking around in it looking at the different types of food on the shelves. The cheese section was especially great. I even bought some black and white cookies after reading about them on fodors and yes, I liked them. (enough to buy them again)
After checking in we went to the Fairway to buy milk, water etc. and ended up having dinner at their steakhouse upstairs. I had crab cakes with a corn salsa that was delicious. My first meal in NY certainly made an impression. I am normally a shy person but this was not a trip to be shy. I struck up a conversation with the couple sitting next to us hoping they are locals and know of a phone store nearby. They were lovely and they told us there was A T & T just down the street plus two department stores close by (Loehmanns and Century 21) and we ended up discussing the election campaign which is in full swing. By this time it was around 10 pm so we headed back to the hotel for a shower, cuppa and a bit of TV and hoping jet lag didn’t hit us tomorrow. We don’t have time for jetlag! I am sitting in bed in one of the most amazing cities in the world and I love it.
I surprised my husband with a trip to the States for our 30th Anniversary. I spent most nights for 6 months checking flights, weather, hotels and reviews as I planned our trip. He had no idea until I gave him the itinery at our party. We had 7 nights in NYC followed by 5 nights in Las Vegas and a night at the Grand Canyon.
Day 1
Alarm set for 4.30am for a two hour drive to the airport in Brisbane. Of course I didn’t really need an alarm as I hardly slept from excitement. It was my husband’s first trip overseas and my first to the USA. I always worry about car breakdowns on the way to the airport so I make sure we arrive with plenty of time to spare. Line up at Qantas to hand over our luggage. It never bothers me to line up at airports because I am so happy to be flying somewhere. I love airports and people watching. As a few planes are leaving at the same time we snake our way through security check. Board the plane and head for our seats. With such a long flight I chose seats up the back where there are only two seats rather than three. That way if either of us needs to use the bathroom we only wake up each other and not a stranger who has to sit next to us. I would choose those seats again if I had to. It’s more private and I felt I could relax more with just my husband in such close proximity for over 18hrs. No need to worry if my husband starts to snore or I start to drool in my sleep. Brisbane to Los Angeles is a long haul. We left at 10.30am on Friday and arrived in LA at 6.30am Friday after flying for 13 hours. Gaining a day is great. Losing it on the way home not so great. I have no complaints about the flight. It’s cramped and boring when you fly over water but I watched a few movies, kept track of the flight (counting down the hours till it was over) and tried to snuggle under the blanket to catch some sleep. All the flight attendants are lovely and a smooth flight so no complaints. Finally we land at LAX and go through customs before heading off to the departure lounge for the next leg to NYC. I don’t know whether to cringe at another 5 and a half hours flying or be happy it’s not another 13 hrs. Set my watch for NY time and settle in for more movie watching but whenever the cloud cover clears I watch the changing landscapes from the window. My excitement builds as we get closer to NY. The plane dips its wing and suddenly I see Manhattan from the distance. The first encounter with American airport security and after reading some of the fodder threads I was a bit apprehensive but other than the fact some agents don’t smile it was rather painless.
I looked for somewhere to buy a throwaway phone for hubby and a new sim for my IPhone. Can’t find anything in our terminal. I also read to buy a subway pass too but couldn’t find anywhere to buy that either. There is a huge line up for taxis but it moves along at a steady pace. It’s quite windy and for us it’s more like a winters day so on with a jacket, hat and gloves. Didn’t realise it took so long to get from the airport but everything I look at is new to me so I don’t mind the drive. We landed at 5.30pm so by the time we hit Manhattan its dark and the skyline is lit. Straining my neck to see the Empire State and the Chrysler Building. It really is a wonderful sight to see. It’s strange to see the street signs with all these numbered streets I have only heard of in movies or TV shows. I could never quite understand using numbers for streets but once I studied maps it makes perfect sense. No matter where you are, as long as you know the street you are in you can find your way by using the numbers.
We book into The Beacon Hotel on the Upper West Side. Corner of Broadway and 75th St. Wonderful hotel in a beautiful area. I couldn’t fault it. Staff was always helpful and friendly. (A big thankyou to Kenny the doorman for exceptional service) The rooms were clean, well kept and beds very comfortable. There is a little kitchenette if you wish to do your own cooking but we end up eating out for every meal. There is a big market (Fairway) across the road with everything you need including readymade meals that would only require heating. I love walking around in it looking at the different types of food on the shelves. The cheese section was especially great. I even bought some black and white cookies after reading about them on fodors and yes, I liked them. (enough to buy them again)
After checking in we went to the Fairway to buy milk, water etc. and ended up having dinner at their steakhouse upstairs. I had crab cakes with a corn salsa that was delicious. My first meal in NY certainly made an impression. I am normally a shy person but this was not a trip to be shy. I struck up a conversation with the couple sitting next to us hoping they are locals and know of a phone store nearby. They were lovely and they told us there was A T & T just down the street plus two department stores close by (Loehmanns and Century 21) and we ended up discussing the election campaign which is in full swing. By this time it was around 10 pm so we headed back to the hotel for a shower, cuppa and a bit of TV and hoping jet lag didn’t hit us tomorrow. We don’t have time for jetlag! I am sitting in bed in one of the most amazing cities in the world and I love it.
Feb 23rd, 2013, 03:09 AM
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Day 2
Had a good sleep and showered and dressed after a much needed wake up cuppa. I had applied for a Big Apple Greeter for today but we weren’t lucky enough to get one. They left a message at the hotel for when we arrived to say no one was available but with the amount of tourists I hadn’t expected to be lucky to get one. A wonderful service though. Its chilly outside (for us anyway) and we decide on the Café Viand next to the hotel to have breakfast. We have a big cooked breakfast and my husband becomes addicted to your bacon.
Head off down Broadway (even the thought of walking down Broadway is in itself exciting). Just over a block away is the entrance to the subway so we use the machine and buy a 7 day subway pass each for $29. Took a few minutes to understand what to do but we worked it out. Another block is the A T & T so the sales guy sets us up with phones. I also walked past Loehmanns and buy a winter coat for myself. Its NY….. I HAD to shop. Checked out Century 21 quickly on our way past. Bought us a Yankee hat each. Decide I will check it out further another time. I kept waiting for jetlag but it didn’t happen thank goodness. We kept walking around the neighbourhood and had lunch. A nice mixed salad for me and club sandwich for my husband. Still working out the tipping custom but I have to say the service is wonderful.
For all those who gave me help with buying tickets to the hockey I say thanks. Unfortunately, because of the dispute the game didn’t go ahead. We got our refund and the day before we left I bought tickets to the Yankees game as they had made the playoffs. So back to the hotel to put our feet up, have a cuppa and put on warmer clothes and head off to the game. I had printed out directions on which subway line to get to Yankee stadium so armed with that we try our first subway ride. Thanks to Fodors for the very important tip of making sure we read the subway sign at the entrance so we go down the right flight of stairs. We were on the platform waiting and near us was a man in a Yankees jacket, hat, carrying a Yankees umbrella. I thought…. Good he is off to the game so I moved closer and asked him if he was going to the game and if the next subway was the right one to get. I thought if we follow him we will be right. No. He didn’t know where Yankee stadium was and he wasn’t going to the game. Each time we looked at each other we had a laugh but made it to the stadium. Police everywhere. Ok let me say this now. You have some fine looking policemen. One was very kind and let my husband take a photo of me with him. I promised the girls at work I would get a pic of one of New York’s finest. I thought I should be in the photo though. He had been to Australia so he had a little chat with us.
I got seats behind home plate but very high up. Really quite spectacular to be there. The cadets from Wrest Point unfurled a huge flag and a girl from Glee sang the anthem. I know there is a great deal of skill involved but as a novice watching the game it got a bit boring. The Yankees weren’t scoring and eventually lost. It was funny to watch one lot of guys disagreeing with another guy a few rows away about the finer aspects of the game. They were quite vocal but equally passionate and it was good to listen to them talk stats and player skills or lack of skills in some cases. We had our first hot dog and can’t get over the size of your drink cups. Definitely not small medium and large. More like large, extra large and humongous. The cold wind got to us so high up so we left just before everyone else. Subway ride back and a walk back to the hotel. A hot shower, cup of tea and a bit of TV and we were nodding off.
Had a good sleep and showered and dressed after a much needed wake up cuppa. I had applied for a Big Apple Greeter for today but we weren’t lucky enough to get one. They left a message at the hotel for when we arrived to say no one was available but with the amount of tourists I hadn’t expected to be lucky to get one. A wonderful service though. Its chilly outside (for us anyway) and we decide on the Café Viand next to the hotel to have breakfast. We have a big cooked breakfast and my husband becomes addicted to your bacon.
Head off down Broadway (even the thought of walking down Broadway is in itself exciting). Just over a block away is the entrance to the subway so we use the machine and buy a 7 day subway pass each for $29. Took a few minutes to understand what to do but we worked it out. Another block is the A T & T so the sales guy sets us up with phones. I also walked past Loehmanns and buy a winter coat for myself. Its NY….. I HAD to shop. Checked out Century 21 quickly on our way past. Bought us a Yankee hat each. Decide I will check it out further another time. I kept waiting for jetlag but it didn’t happen thank goodness. We kept walking around the neighbourhood and had lunch. A nice mixed salad for me and club sandwich for my husband. Still working out the tipping custom but I have to say the service is wonderful.
For all those who gave me help with buying tickets to the hockey I say thanks. Unfortunately, because of the dispute the game didn’t go ahead. We got our refund and the day before we left I bought tickets to the Yankees game as they had made the playoffs. So back to the hotel to put our feet up, have a cuppa and put on warmer clothes and head off to the game. I had printed out directions on which subway line to get to Yankee stadium so armed with that we try our first subway ride. Thanks to Fodors for the very important tip of making sure we read the subway sign at the entrance so we go down the right flight of stairs. We were on the platform waiting and near us was a man in a Yankees jacket, hat, carrying a Yankees umbrella. I thought…. Good he is off to the game so I moved closer and asked him if he was going to the game and if the next subway was the right one to get. I thought if we follow him we will be right. No. He didn’t know where Yankee stadium was and he wasn’t going to the game. Each time we looked at each other we had a laugh but made it to the stadium. Police everywhere. Ok let me say this now. You have some fine looking policemen. One was very kind and let my husband take a photo of me with him. I promised the girls at work I would get a pic of one of New York’s finest. I thought I should be in the photo though. He had been to Australia so he had a little chat with us.
I got seats behind home plate but very high up. Really quite spectacular to be there. The cadets from Wrest Point unfurled a huge flag and a girl from Glee sang the anthem. I know there is a great deal of skill involved but as a novice watching the game it got a bit boring. The Yankees weren’t scoring and eventually lost. It was funny to watch one lot of guys disagreeing with another guy a few rows away about the finer aspects of the game. They were quite vocal but equally passionate and it was good to listen to them talk stats and player skills or lack of skills in some cases. We had our first hot dog and can’t get over the size of your drink cups. Definitely not small medium and large. More like large, extra large and humongous. The cold wind got to us so high up so we left just before everyone else. Subway ride back and a walk back to the hotel. A hot shower, cup of tea and a bit of TV and we were nodding off.
Feb 23rd, 2013, 03:53 AM
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Day 3
Breakfast at Café Viand again. My husband loves the bacon and eggs so much we go there for breakfast every morning. I think I end up trying everything on the breakfast specials menu over the course of our week there. Today we take the subway downtown and get off at Times Square. A very different feel to the Upper West Side and very touristy. Having brochures shoved at you gets a little annoying but we get good at saying no before they start to give their spiel. Go for a quick look in Toys R Us and see ourselves on the big screen billboard. One building was the basis for a huge jigsaw my daughters did once so I post a picture of it on Facebook for them to see. We keep walking to escape the bustle of Times Square - no naked cowboy but there is a naked Indian. I have bought tickets to the Top of the Rock so we make our way over there. No line up so it’s not long and we are up the top and looking out to the most amazing view. One side is mainly Central Park and the other has the Empire State Building right in the middle and looking magnificent. I am glad I took the advice of regulars who suggested Top of the Rock was better than Empire to visit. ESB is like a grand old dame standing regally in amongst all the other skyscrapers. If I was in it I wouldn’t see it. Central Park is huge. Back on the ground we watch the ice skaters for a while and then continue our walking.
Lunch is at a pub. A burger for my husband and a salad for me. Wonderful salads you have. There seems to be a parade so we follow the drums and come across blocked off street which happens to be Fifth Avenue. We wander along looking at the windows and the parade is the Latin Columbus day parade. I end up in Tiffany & Co and buy my daughters a little something and a lovely long pendant for myself. My husband waiting patiently outside and thankfully he had the parade to watch. It’s now getting late and we need to get back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. I have booked us in at the River Café over in Brooklyn. We try to get a taxi but with the parade that proves impossible. We have to walk quite a distance before we are able to grab one letting out someone at a hotel. Eventually we are dressed up and out the front with the doorman trying to get us a cab. We get in and when we say Brooklyn he says we will have to direct him. Fat chance of that happening so we hop out and the doorman tries a few more cabs. None say they know Brooklyn. Eventually we found one who takes us. Get to the Brooklyn Bridge and it is closed for repairs. Diversion to Manhattan Bridge. Consequently all traffic is at a standstill and we creep over the bridge. After finally getting to Brooklyn we seem to go around in circles and our taxi ride ends up taking nearly 90 mins. We are so late for our reservation that I expect to not get a table but they are wonderful and take us through. We are in a bit of a fluster from the taxi ride but the staff get us a drink and we settle down to what ends up being the most wonderful dinner out we have had. The staff fussed over us and joked with us. Our food was absolutely delicious and my Tuna Tartar was the best dish I have had. We ate, drank and laughed while looking out at Manhattan at night with the Brooklyn Bridge right beside us. ( Two weeks later Sandy hit and destroyed it.) We got a town car back to the hotel. Much cheaper than the taxi over. It was a full day that ended with a wonderful dinner. I fall more in love with New York.
Breakfast at Café Viand again. My husband loves the bacon and eggs so much we go there for breakfast every morning. I think I end up trying everything on the breakfast specials menu over the course of our week there. Today we take the subway downtown and get off at Times Square. A very different feel to the Upper West Side and very touristy. Having brochures shoved at you gets a little annoying but we get good at saying no before they start to give their spiel. Go for a quick look in Toys R Us and see ourselves on the big screen billboard. One building was the basis for a huge jigsaw my daughters did once so I post a picture of it on Facebook for them to see. We keep walking to escape the bustle of Times Square - no naked cowboy but there is a naked Indian. I have bought tickets to the Top of the Rock so we make our way over there. No line up so it’s not long and we are up the top and looking out to the most amazing view. One side is mainly Central Park and the other has the Empire State Building right in the middle and looking magnificent. I am glad I took the advice of regulars who suggested Top of the Rock was better than Empire to visit. ESB is like a grand old dame standing regally in amongst all the other skyscrapers. If I was in it I wouldn’t see it. Central Park is huge. Back on the ground we watch the ice skaters for a while and then continue our walking.
Lunch is at a pub. A burger for my husband and a salad for me. Wonderful salads you have. There seems to be a parade so we follow the drums and come across blocked off street which happens to be Fifth Avenue. We wander along looking at the windows and the parade is the Latin Columbus day parade. I end up in Tiffany & Co and buy my daughters a little something and a lovely long pendant for myself. My husband waiting patiently outside and thankfully he had the parade to watch. It’s now getting late and we need to get back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. I have booked us in at the River Café over in Brooklyn. We try to get a taxi but with the parade that proves impossible. We have to walk quite a distance before we are able to grab one letting out someone at a hotel. Eventually we are dressed up and out the front with the doorman trying to get us a cab. We get in and when we say Brooklyn he says we will have to direct him. Fat chance of that happening so we hop out and the doorman tries a few more cabs. None say they know Brooklyn. Eventually we found one who takes us. Get to the Brooklyn Bridge and it is closed for repairs. Diversion to Manhattan Bridge. Consequently all traffic is at a standstill and we creep over the bridge. After finally getting to Brooklyn we seem to go around in circles and our taxi ride ends up taking nearly 90 mins. We are so late for our reservation that I expect to not get a table but they are wonderful and take us through. We are in a bit of a fluster from the taxi ride but the staff get us a drink and we settle down to what ends up being the most wonderful dinner out we have had. The staff fussed over us and joked with us. Our food was absolutely delicious and my Tuna Tartar was the best dish I have had. We ate, drank and laughed while looking out at Manhattan at night with the Brooklyn Bridge right beside us. ( Two weeks later Sandy hit and destroyed it.) We got a town car back to the hotel. Much cheaper than the taxi over. It was a full day that ended with a wonderful dinner. I fall more in love with New York.
Feb 23rd, 2013, 05:45 AM
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Sorry -
Glad you enjoyed the city - but your last statement is confusing.
Sandy didn't do anything to the Brooklyn Bridge. It's the River Cafe that is still closed for repairs - as a large number of homes and businesses immediately adjacent to the ocean or one of the rivers. At this point I suspect a financial issue - since any buildings just as close have been renovated and are back in business. Perhaps they didn't have flood insurance.
Glad you enjoyed the city - but your last statement is confusing.
Sandy didn't do anything to the Brooklyn Bridge. It's the River Cafe that is still closed for repairs - as a large number of homes and businesses immediately adjacent to the ocean or one of the rivers. At this point I suspect a financial issue - since any buildings just as close have been renovated and are back in business. Perhaps they didn't have flood insurance.
Feb 24th, 2013, 01:37 AM
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Day 4
Today we are up early as we have to be downtown to meet up with a guide for a walking tour of the 911 site then down to Battery Park with a ferry ride over to Statue of Liberty. There is only a family of 5 from Philadelphia on the tour with us so it’s easy to keep track of each other. Our guide takes us on the subway and we get off on the lower end of Manhattan. He walks briskly so we cover a fair distance. We see the new building under construction and just past that is the American Express building that has a tribute to the staff that were lost on 911. It is a shallow pool in the foyer with the names of the staff and a few words (from family/friends/co-workers to describe the person they were). Suspended over the pool is a huge crystal and a little drop of water falls from the holes of the suspension wires and onto the words underneath the water. One drop at a time, falling on one name at a time causing a ripple on the water and symbolising the tears shed by their loved ones. People are walking in and out of the building but there is quietness about it as you watch each tear fall. It is a very moving and beautiful memorial.
Even though we are early there is a big line up for the Trade Centre Site. It is quite noisy as there are a lot of people walking around. Very different to what we had just seen. School children running around yelling, guides calling for lost tour members. The sound of the water in the two pools is in the background and I would have liked to have been able to say quiet please – just for a few moments- so the only sound was the water. My husband and I didn’t want to talk; we just walked around looking at the pools, listening to the water and remembering. The pools are very well done and it gives us an idea of size but it is still hard to reconcile the area to the all the rubble we saw for months on the news. One man was imprinting one of the names on North Pool and as he touched the name gently I could only imagine his sorrow.
We met back up with the tour guide outside and then it was off to Battery Park. We were able to go in the fast lane to board the ferry. There was a very big line up of people in the other lane so it was nice to miss that wait. Another trip through a security check and then our guide takes us up to the bow of the ferry where we have a wonderful view all the way over to the Statue. A bit of advice for people going to tourist destinations in New York. We went through a few security checks so don’t wear shoes that are hard to get on and off. If you don’t need to wear a belt – don’t as you will have to remove them. We certainly didn’t mind going through security checks. I had to wait for my husband to put his belt through the belt loops each time and it became a running joke with us. Just as we get closer to the statue my husband goes to take a photo and the battery runs out. We do a formula 1 crew pit change of batteries and he starts taking one of the many he takes of the statue that day. It is quite an impressive sight and lovely to walk around it looking back at the view of Manhattan. We had lunch there and bought some souvenirs and headed back to the ferry. We could have got off at Ellis Island but we didn’t. The others on the tour did as the mother came over from Italy as a child and they were going to look up her details. We had no ancestors to look up and we were a little tired so went back to Battery Park. I know it is a very interesting historical site but we knew we would not be able to see everything so we had to pick and choose on the day what we saw.
Back at Battery Park we saw our first squirrel. Oh my, what cuties they are. I just wanted to touch those tails. My husband tried to take photos but he takes too long trying to get the right shot so consequently we had a lot of photos of grass because just as he pressed the button the squirrels would take off. Our daughters still rib him about squirrels. No matter where we were, if there was a squirrel he would try to take a photo. Squirrels in New York, squirrels in Washington, squirrels in the Grand Canyon.
We noticed the Museum of the Native American History next to the park so we went in for a look. I liked the clothes and headwear they had on display. Interesting to see the beading they incorporated into the leather. From there we walked up to St Paul’s Chapel of Trinity Church with its tribute to the rescuers of 911. We remember seeing it all on TV, the banner from Oklahoma, the volunteers giving comfort to the worn out rescuers. Some quiet reflection as we read the displays.
It was getting late in the afternoon but we thought we would keep walking. The bull of Wall Street. So many people taking photos so I stayed behind the barricade and ended up talking to a lovely policeman who asked how Australia was faring in the economic downturn. My husband got a photo of me deep in discussion with him. We gave him a couple of little pin on Koalas to give his children. A little fluffy koala with arms that grip a pocket or lapel. Inexpensive but people loved receiving them. (especially the lovely girl at McDonalds in Boulder who helped us out when we stopped for a drink and snack on the drive to the Grand Canyon) and were confronted with a menu we didn’t recognise and an empty cup (we had never seen McDonalds with a self-serve drink station.) She was thrilled and kept saying to her co-workers. “Look it’s a koala”
After Wall Street we went to a subway but it got cancelled so we had to find another station. We weren’t sure where to go as we were used to using the one line. Off we went heading back uptown and we figured eventually we would run into a subway station. We were tired but there is so much to see and we really like walking the streets. (at home we would be complaining about walking – in New York we never stopped) Two fire trucks pulled up near us with sirens blaring. Out popped some Firemen and while one was waiting near the truck I snapped a pic on my IPhone to send to my niece. Yet again a handsome man in uniform. *insert a smile here* It seemed to be a false alarm but we kept walking so we weren’t in anyone’s way. We pass streets in their forties so we figure if we are close to 50 we might as well keep going. I notice Grays Papaya when we are getting close to home so we grab a hotdog and drink and sit in the park area across the road and call it dinner. Eventually we make it back to W75th and home for the night. It was a long day of walking and it’s a very early wake up tomorrow. I do some washing in the hotel laundry. (Really convenient) We haven’t been to bed before midnight yet but tonight we collapse. My husband’s last words to me before he fell asleep was “my feet are barking”
Today we are up early as we have to be downtown to meet up with a guide for a walking tour of the 911 site then down to Battery Park with a ferry ride over to Statue of Liberty. There is only a family of 5 from Philadelphia on the tour with us so it’s easy to keep track of each other. Our guide takes us on the subway and we get off on the lower end of Manhattan. He walks briskly so we cover a fair distance. We see the new building under construction and just past that is the American Express building that has a tribute to the staff that were lost on 911. It is a shallow pool in the foyer with the names of the staff and a few words (from family/friends/co-workers to describe the person they were). Suspended over the pool is a huge crystal and a little drop of water falls from the holes of the suspension wires and onto the words underneath the water. One drop at a time, falling on one name at a time causing a ripple on the water and symbolising the tears shed by their loved ones. People are walking in and out of the building but there is quietness about it as you watch each tear fall. It is a very moving and beautiful memorial.
Even though we are early there is a big line up for the Trade Centre Site. It is quite noisy as there are a lot of people walking around. Very different to what we had just seen. School children running around yelling, guides calling for lost tour members. The sound of the water in the two pools is in the background and I would have liked to have been able to say quiet please – just for a few moments- so the only sound was the water. My husband and I didn’t want to talk; we just walked around looking at the pools, listening to the water and remembering. The pools are very well done and it gives us an idea of size but it is still hard to reconcile the area to the all the rubble we saw for months on the news. One man was imprinting one of the names on North Pool and as he touched the name gently I could only imagine his sorrow.
We met back up with the tour guide outside and then it was off to Battery Park. We were able to go in the fast lane to board the ferry. There was a very big line up of people in the other lane so it was nice to miss that wait. Another trip through a security check and then our guide takes us up to the bow of the ferry where we have a wonderful view all the way over to the Statue. A bit of advice for people going to tourist destinations in New York. We went through a few security checks so don’t wear shoes that are hard to get on and off. If you don’t need to wear a belt – don’t as you will have to remove them. We certainly didn’t mind going through security checks. I had to wait for my husband to put his belt through the belt loops each time and it became a running joke with us. Just as we get closer to the statue my husband goes to take a photo and the battery runs out. We do a formula 1 crew pit change of batteries and he starts taking one of the many he takes of the statue that day. It is quite an impressive sight and lovely to walk around it looking back at the view of Manhattan. We had lunch there and bought some souvenirs and headed back to the ferry. We could have got off at Ellis Island but we didn’t. The others on the tour did as the mother came over from Italy as a child and they were going to look up her details. We had no ancestors to look up and we were a little tired so went back to Battery Park. I know it is a very interesting historical site but we knew we would not be able to see everything so we had to pick and choose on the day what we saw.
Back at Battery Park we saw our first squirrel. Oh my, what cuties they are. I just wanted to touch those tails. My husband tried to take photos but he takes too long trying to get the right shot so consequently we had a lot of photos of grass because just as he pressed the button the squirrels would take off. Our daughters still rib him about squirrels. No matter where we were, if there was a squirrel he would try to take a photo. Squirrels in New York, squirrels in Washington, squirrels in the Grand Canyon.
We noticed the Museum of the Native American History next to the park so we went in for a look. I liked the clothes and headwear they had on display. Interesting to see the beading they incorporated into the leather. From there we walked up to St Paul’s Chapel of Trinity Church with its tribute to the rescuers of 911. We remember seeing it all on TV, the banner from Oklahoma, the volunteers giving comfort to the worn out rescuers. Some quiet reflection as we read the displays.
It was getting late in the afternoon but we thought we would keep walking. The bull of Wall Street. So many people taking photos so I stayed behind the barricade and ended up talking to a lovely policeman who asked how Australia was faring in the economic downturn. My husband got a photo of me deep in discussion with him. We gave him a couple of little pin on Koalas to give his children. A little fluffy koala with arms that grip a pocket or lapel. Inexpensive but people loved receiving them. (especially the lovely girl at McDonalds in Boulder who helped us out when we stopped for a drink and snack on the drive to the Grand Canyon) and were confronted with a menu we didn’t recognise and an empty cup (we had never seen McDonalds with a self-serve drink station.) She was thrilled and kept saying to her co-workers. “Look it’s a koala”
After Wall Street we went to a subway but it got cancelled so we had to find another station. We weren’t sure where to go as we were used to using the one line. Off we went heading back uptown and we figured eventually we would run into a subway station. We were tired but there is so much to see and we really like walking the streets. (at home we would be complaining about walking – in New York we never stopped) Two fire trucks pulled up near us with sirens blaring. Out popped some Firemen and while one was waiting near the truck I snapped a pic on my IPhone to send to my niece. Yet again a handsome man in uniform. *insert a smile here* It seemed to be a false alarm but we kept walking so we weren’t in anyone’s way. We pass streets in their forties so we figure if we are close to 50 we might as well keep going. I notice Grays Papaya when we are getting close to home so we grab a hotdog and drink and sit in the park area across the road and call it dinner. Eventually we make it back to W75th and home for the night. It was a long day of walking and it’s a very early wake up tomorrow. I do some washing in the hotel laundry. (Really convenient) We haven’t been to bed before midnight yet but tonight we collapse. My husband’s last words to me before he fell asleep was “my feet are barking”
Feb 24th, 2013, 02:38 AM
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Day 5
Alarm goes off at 3.30am. A quick cuppa then it’s a walk to the subway for a ride to Penn Station. Even at that time of the morning we feel ok walking the street. The subway is quiet with just a few people sleeping on the seats and one or two other people. Today we are taking a day trip to Washington DC. I know it isn’t the ideal way to see it but with the uncertainty of my job contract I had to cull our trip and so it’s a day in DC or not at all. Our train leaves Penn at 5.30am. The only drawback of travelling in the dark is that I don’t get to see the countryside except for what the street lights illuminate. We try to have a snooze while we can and right on time we arrive at Union Station. Lovely old station. We grab some breakfast at a café. Vanilla French toast for me and bacon and eggs yet again for my husband. I must find out how you cook bacon American style. So armed with full bellies we set forth. I hadn’t booked anything except the Amtrak as I didn’t know how the weather would be. We end up getting one of the dreaded open buses to get an overall view of the monuments. It wasn’t too bad except for the repetitive voice over. It gave us information on each monument as we passed it. Once we had done a whole loop we changed buses to get the one going over to Arlington. My husband is ex-army so we wanted to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
It is quite a walk uphill to the memorial and we found a spot and stood in silence as we watched the guard pace back and forth. We stood in awe as the guards changed and the Sgt did the inspection of the new guard. The movements to inspect the weapon and uniform are almost robotic in movement and is such a distinct march. There was a large group of vets from out of state for a visit and they laid a wreath. After the ceremony we walked around Arlington and saw the Kennedy gravesite. We met a lovely couple from Anaheim as we waited for the bus back. We changed buses again and went to the Lincoln memorial. What a beautiful place. The view from the steps down to the Washington memorial is stunning. All these monuments we have only seen in movies etc. and here they were in front of us. We then walked around all the war memorials and were particularly impressed with the one dedicated to the Korean War. The lifelike statues, the number of statues relating to the parallel that separates north and South Korea. You could imagine them walking around in the rain and mud wondering what was ahead. Really impressive. As we walked back to where we started we came across………. Squirrels… lots of them…. Coming right up to us. My husband was doing his usual trick of muttering under his breath. “Come back here you little bugger” so when I knew one was behind me I put my phone over my shoulder and took a photo. Turned out to be the best squirrel pic so far. (Much to my husband’s disgust)
Our train left at 7.30pm so we had to start making our way back to the station. We thought we had missed the last bus so we grabbed a cab back which was much better than hearing the recorded voice again. A nice cab driver who gave us an informative chat on the way back. We grabbed some dinner and slept our way back to New York. Arrived back around 11pm and caught the subway back to 72nd st and walked back to the hotel. I didn’t plan anything for next day so no need to get up early. I never got to any of the Smithsonians but we still saw the things we wanted to see and had a wonderful day. Washington is so pretty. The beautiful old buildings were impressive. As I said earlier it wasn’t the ideal way to see Washington but it was better than not seeing it at all. If we ever get back we will definitely stay for a few days.
Alarm goes off at 3.30am. A quick cuppa then it’s a walk to the subway for a ride to Penn Station. Even at that time of the morning we feel ok walking the street. The subway is quiet with just a few people sleeping on the seats and one or two other people. Today we are taking a day trip to Washington DC. I know it isn’t the ideal way to see it but with the uncertainty of my job contract I had to cull our trip and so it’s a day in DC or not at all. Our train leaves Penn at 5.30am. The only drawback of travelling in the dark is that I don’t get to see the countryside except for what the street lights illuminate. We try to have a snooze while we can and right on time we arrive at Union Station. Lovely old station. We grab some breakfast at a café. Vanilla French toast for me and bacon and eggs yet again for my husband. I must find out how you cook bacon American style. So armed with full bellies we set forth. I hadn’t booked anything except the Amtrak as I didn’t know how the weather would be. We end up getting one of the dreaded open buses to get an overall view of the monuments. It wasn’t too bad except for the repetitive voice over. It gave us information on each monument as we passed it. Once we had done a whole loop we changed buses to get the one going over to Arlington. My husband is ex-army so we wanted to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
It is quite a walk uphill to the memorial and we found a spot and stood in silence as we watched the guard pace back and forth. We stood in awe as the guards changed and the Sgt did the inspection of the new guard. The movements to inspect the weapon and uniform are almost robotic in movement and is such a distinct march. There was a large group of vets from out of state for a visit and they laid a wreath. After the ceremony we walked around Arlington and saw the Kennedy gravesite. We met a lovely couple from Anaheim as we waited for the bus back. We changed buses again and went to the Lincoln memorial. What a beautiful place. The view from the steps down to the Washington memorial is stunning. All these monuments we have only seen in movies etc. and here they were in front of us. We then walked around all the war memorials and were particularly impressed with the one dedicated to the Korean War. The lifelike statues, the number of statues relating to the parallel that separates north and South Korea. You could imagine them walking around in the rain and mud wondering what was ahead. Really impressive. As we walked back to where we started we came across………. Squirrels… lots of them…. Coming right up to us. My husband was doing his usual trick of muttering under his breath. “Come back here you little bugger” so when I knew one was behind me I put my phone over my shoulder and took a photo. Turned out to be the best squirrel pic so far. (Much to my husband’s disgust)
Our train left at 7.30pm so we had to start making our way back to the station. We thought we had missed the last bus so we grabbed a cab back which was much better than hearing the recorded voice again. A nice cab driver who gave us an informative chat on the way back. We grabbed some dinner and slept our way back to New York. Arrived back around 11pm and caught the subway back to 72nd st and walked back to the hotel. I didn’t plan anything for next day so no need to get up early. I never got to any of the Smithsonians but we still saw the things we wanted to see and had a wonderful day. Washington is so pretty. The beautiful old buildings were impressive. As I said earlier it wasn’t the ideal way to see Washington but it was better than not seeing it at all. If we ever get back we will definitely stay for a few days.
Feb 25th, 2013, 01:44 AM
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Day 6
Not much of a sleep in. We can sleep after New York. Today I want to have a quick look at Macy’s before another walk around. Also need to buy tickets for a show. Catch the subway downtown and walk to 34th Street. There really is a difference in each area of Manhattan. It’s one of the reasons we have preferred to walk everywhere. Walk a few more blocks and it not only looks different, it feels different. Some small jewellery stores selling estate jewellery catch my eye and I find a lovely little diamond ring for my pinkie finger. It’s cheap but whenever I touch it on my finger I remember the day I got it in NY.
34th St. My husband’s favourite Xmas movie is Miracle on 34th Street. He must watch it every Xmas. I get a photo of him standing under the street sign. It’s a buzz for him to be walking that street. What can I say about Macy’s? It’s huge and so very easy to get lost in. Probably a little bit too big. I am overwhelmed by the handbags and there is way too much choice. I narrow my choice down to four but as I can’t decide I leave them. As much as I love shopping and would love to stay in there I feel that there is too much to see out on the streets. I can always go shopping but I can’t replicate walking up 6th Avenue or 45th Street or any other street. Before I leave I buy a Macy’s tote and make up bag (another reminder I see every day). I also find the best eyebrow pencil I have ever used. The biggest department store and I walk out pleased as punch with an eyebrow pencil. We stop for lunch at an Italian restaurant. Spaghetti and meatballs except the meatballs are more the size of rissoles (a rounded Aussie meat patty) or a small fist. We are used to meatballs being the size of a golf ball. I got a nice fettuccine. We end up at Times Square again and see the line-up of people buying tickets is huge. We change our mind and go to the theatre and buy the tickets there for the show the next night. We buy some fridge magnets and pens for the typical souvenir gifts and head off for the walk to Central Park. We knew we would see yellow cabs everywhere but it’s the black SUV town cars that stand out. Have never seen so many. I must say we would grimace on every street corner expecting cars to collide. I have never seen so many near misses. Plenty of horns blasting and brakes slamming but it really is an organised chaos. The different crossing lights and signs had us a bit confused at first so we followed everyone else but eventually we understood what was going on.
By the time we get to Central Park the weather has turned a bit cooler and it looked like it may rain. We decide to get one of the pedal bikes that take you around a part of the park. So we hopped on for a tour. Our guide was very nice and filled us in on the history of the park and facts about some of the nearby buildings. He took some photos of us with some nice backdrops ( we took photos of each other but it was good to have some photos of both of us) and we had a walk through Strawberry Fields. It really is an oasis in the park. No wonder New Yorkers are proud of it. The size of it stops it being just a local park. The canopy of trees, the wide paths, the playing fields. A relaxing retreat to sit and recharge when you become tired of the pace outside in the concrete. I can imagine sitting on a bench reading a good book.
We slowly make our way back to the hotel. We don’t think it will rain after all. Again, we decide to forgo the subway and walk. I can’t explain it but there is something really special about walking around Manhattan. There is a feeling that I have never experienced before. It makes you feel special to be there. We grab a hot chocolate from Starbucks (first time I have ever been in one) and sit on a bench nearby and rest our legs and relax. We don’t really feel like a big dinner so decide to pick up something at the Fairway market across the road later. My husband is getting tired finally so he takes our shopping bags and heads back to the hotel. I go to Century 21 knowing I can take my time as there is no rush to go somewhere else. I pick a watch for hubby and 3 bags for me. One is a little evening clutch so it doesn’t count as a bag (or so I tell myself). Grab a matching winter scarf and hat made of lovely soft wool. I have picked up a few scarves already but none are for cold weather so happy with my purchase. I don’t bother looking at clothes as I am not sure of the sizing and frankly I am too tired to be trying on clothes. I stay away from shoes as I am worried about luggage weight. Finally get back to the hotel and the rolling eyes of my husband when he sees handbags. He doesn’t understand handbags at all!
Around 9.30pm we decide to grab a snack. For some reason the market seems closed so we ask Kenny the doorman where to grab something light. He suggests a slice of pizza from Big Nicks two blocks up. A tiny entrance to Big Nicks Pizza with another entrance next to it for Big Nicks Burgers. We go in to order and decide to sit there and take in the atmosphere. Old photos on the wall suggest it is has been there for a long time. It is a little cramped but it isn’t touristy which is what appeals. Some places we have passed just scream out tourist trap and I have tried to use fodors tip of looking to see if locals are eating there. We decide against a slice as there is no ham and pineapple made up and that’s all hubby eats (we don’t eat much pizza). We order a small one to share and figure that will be all we need. Oh my god……. The small pizza was placed on our little table and it was nearly the size of the table. As I said we aren’t pizza fans but one bite and we agreed it was THE best pizza we have eaten. We had intentions of taking half of it back to the room to eat the next day. Intentions were good…… our taste buds disagreed. So we sat there and continued eating until it was gone. Every pizza we ever eat now will be compared to that one.
A very slow and contented walk back to the hotel.
Not much of a sleep in. We can sleep after New York. Today I want to have a quick look at Macy’s before another walk around. Also need to buy tickets for a show. Catch the subway downtown and walk to 34th Street. There really is a difference in each area of Manhattan. It’s one of the reasons we have preferred to walk everywhere. Walk a few more blocks and it not only looks different, it feels different. Some small jewellery stores selling estate jewellery catch my eye and I find a lovely little diamond ring for my pinkie finger. It’s cheap but whenever I touch it on my finger I remember the day I got it in NY.
34th St. My husband’s favourite Xmas movie is Miracle on 34th Street. He must watch it every Xmas. I get a photo of him standing under the street sign. It’s a buzz for him to be walking that street. What can I say about Macy’s? It’s huge and so very easy to get lost in. Probably a little bit too big. I am overwhelmed by the handbags and there is way too much choice. I narrow my choice down to four but as I can’t decide I leave them. As much as I love shopping and would love to stay in there I feel that there is too much to see out on the streets. I can always go shopping but I can’t replicate walking up 6th Avenue or 45th Street or any other street. Before I leave I buy a Macy’s tote and make up bag (another reminder I see every day). I also find the best eyebrow pencil I have ever used. The biggest department store and I walk out pleased as punch with an eyebrow pencil. We stop for lunch at an Italian restaurant. Spaghetti and meatballs except the meatballs are more the size of rissoles (a rounded Aussie meat patty) or a small fist. We are used to meatballs being the size of a golf ball. I got a nice fettuccine. We end up at Times Square again and see the line-up of people buying tickets is huge. We change our mind and go to the theatre and buy the tickets there for the show the next night. We buy some fridge magnets and pens for the typical souvenir gifts and head off for the walk to Central Park. We knew we would see yellow cabs everywhere but it’s the black SUV town cars that stand out. Have never seen so many. I must say we would grimace on every street corner expecting cars to collide. I have never seen so many near misses. Plenty of horns blasting and brakes slamming but it really is an organised chaos. The different crossing lights and signs had us a bit confused at first so we followed everyone else but eventually we understood what was going on.
By the time we get to Central Park the weather has turned a bit cooler and it looked like it may rain. We decide to get one of the pedal bikes that take you around a part of the park. So we hopped on for a tour. Our guide was very nice and filled us in on the history of the park and facts about some of the nearby buildings. He took some photos of us with some nice backdrops ( we took photos of each other but it was good to have some photos of both of us) and we had a walk through Strawberry Fields. It really is an oasis in the park. No wonder New Yorkers are proud of it. The size of it stops it being just a local park. The canopy of trees, the wide paths, the playing fields. A relaxing retreat to sit and recharge when you become tired of the pace outside in the concrete. I can imagine sitting on a bench reading a good book.
We slowly make our way back to the hotel. We don’t think it will rain after all. Again, we decide to forgo the subway and walk. I can’t explain it but there is something really special about walking around Manhattan. There is a feeling that I have never experienced before. It makes you feel special to be there. We grab a hot chocolate from Starbucks (first time I have ever been in one) and sit on a bench nearby and rest our legs and relax. We don’t really feel like a big dinner so decide to pick up something at the Fairway market across the road later. My husband is getting tired finally so he takes our shopping bags and heads back to the hotel. I go to Century 21 knowing I can take my time as there is no rush to go somewhere else. I pick a watch for hubby and 3 bags for me. One is a little evening clutch so it doesn’t count as a bag (or so I tell myself). Grab a matching winter scarf and hat made of lovely soft wool. I have picked up a few scarves already but none are for cold weather so happy with my purchase. I don’t bother looking at clothes as I am not sure of the sizing and frankly I am too tired to be trying on clothes. I stay away from shoes as I am worried about luggage weight. Finally get back to the hotel and the rolling eyes of my husband when he sees handbags. He doesn’t understand handbags at all!
Around 9.30pm we decide to grab a snack. For some reason the market seems closed so we ask Kenny the doorman where to grab something light. He suggests a slice of pizza from Big Nicks two blocks up. A tiny entrance to Big Nicks Pizza with another entrance next to it for Big Nicks Burgers. We go in to order and decide to sit there and take in the atmosphere. Old photos on the wall suggest it is has been there for a long time. It is a little cramped but it isn’t touristy which is what appeals. Some places we have passed just scream out tourist trap and I have tried to use fodors tip of looking to see if locals are eating there. We decide against a slice as there is no ham and pineapple made up and that’s all hubby eats (we don’t eat much pizza). We order a small one to share and figure that will be all we need. Oh my god……. The small pizza was placed on our little table and it was nearly the size of the table. As I said we aren’t pizza fans but one bite and we agreed it was THE best pizza we have eaten. We had intentions of taking half of it back to the room to eat the next day. Intentions were good…… our taste buds disagreed. So we sat there and continued eating until it was gone. Every pizza we ever eat now will be compared to that one.
A very slow and contented walk back to the hotel.
Feb 25th, 2013, 02:37 PM
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Really enjoying your report, october_fun. If I could make one suggestion...if you could break your text into paragraphs, that would make it a lot easier to read.
I'm looking forward to reading more about your trip. Thanks for taking time to report back on your experiences!
I'm looking forward to reading more about your trip. Thanks for taking time to report back on your experiences!
Feb 26th, 2013, 03:07 AM
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Day 7
Today we are off to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum at Pier 86. We get off the subway downtown and head through Hell’s Kitchen until we hit water. All I can say is the USS Intrepid is certainly BIG.
We buy a guided tour which ends up being a private tour as no one else is waiting for one. Our guide is a little over the top but that’s better than being disinterested. He is very informative and we go all around the ship. It certainly gives an insight into the life of a sailor on board during wartime. We check out the planes on deck and as my husband turns around after taking photos of the view from on board he nearly knocks himself out on one of the wings of the plane we are near. The guide asks him how he is…… “I’m ok” he says. Then he turns to me and whispers “Is there any blood?” So while he is cursing the wing I am trying not to pee myself from laughing. (2 months after our visit we were watching a documentary on the Intrepid and suddenly he yells out ... “there is that ******* plane!!!”)
We paid the extra to see the Space Shuttle. It’s all covered in a big bubble which in all honesty looks silly on the aircraft carrier. I think the shuttle standing there in all its glory dwarfing the other planes would look better. We go in though, because we have seen them on the news so often and this would be the only chance to see one up close. I can now see the shuttle tiles that we heard about in the news bulletins. We walk up some steps to get right up near the nose. I take a quick pic of my husband standing in front of the nose but as my phone doesn’t have a flash and it’s dark in that spot all that come out is his head outline against the lighter part of the plane. It elongates his ears so it looks like an alien profile so we start saying “ET phone home”.
We climbed up to the bridge but it’s very cramped and with people in front and behind it’s not really easy to have a good look. We shuffle through. On the walk to the Intrepid we didn’t see much in the way of cafés so we grabbed a snack in the cafeteria/mess. Probably the most mediocre thing we have eaten so far.
We bypassed the submarine as the line was quite large and space limited inside. If you ever visit and the line-up isn’t big to the submarine, go then, so you aren’t waiting later. We had spent a good few hours there without realising. There wasn’t really that much time to see anything else as we are off to see Nice Work If You Can Get IT on Broadway tonight. As it is also our last night in New York I have to get all our washing up to date so we have clean clothes for Vegas leg. We walk along restaurant row (food places everywhere – if only I had realised) and catch subway back to UWS.
Spend some time washing, but as we don’t have to be at JFK till lunch time I leave packing till the morning. Have a cuppa, put our feet up then get ready for night out. We go next door for dinner as we aren’t sure where to eat in Times Square or how hard it might be to get a table and be finished eating before the show. It’s so easy to get to TS from our hotel and when we emerge from the subway we see TS at night for the first time. If we thought day time was busy, night time is nearly bedlam. We have plenty of time so no need to rush.
I didn’t know which show to see and my preference was a musical or War Horse but just before we left Australia they announced that War Horse was coming over (I bought tickets two weeks ago for the season in July in Brisbane. There are always limited performances over here so grabbed the tickets while we were there to see the Australian premiere of Driving Miss Daisy with Angela Landsbury and James Earl Jones. Absolutely wonderful by the way.) Anyway, back to Broadway. We have always enjoyed watching the old musicals so I hoped we would enjoy Nice Work. We did. Matthew Broderick was great and we had plenty of laughs. Old fashioned humour but we loved it. So glad we chose it. My husband especially loved it.
I made the mistake of going to the Ladies at interval. Talk about regimental line up. The usher took charge and took no prisoners! She had us in line and scared to move out of line. Anyone who walked in the wrong direction retreated quickly. With limited waiting room and lots of ladies she certainly moved that line in time for the second curtain. Everyone was quietly laughing to the the person on either side. We felt like school kids but it did the trick.
When we left the theatre after the show we noticed people weren’t moving much in one direction and when I had a closer look there was a police car in the middle of the road. Then I noticed a lot of men in suits, then earpieces and I leaned over to hubby and said. Secret Service. People were whispering the same thing so of course we stayed put. Heck, its not everyday Aussies see the Secret Service. We waited and waited and then one told us that we had missed the President by about 10 mins. He was already in the hotel next door. Darn it. So we walked on for about another 25 metres and there was another group of people and a barricade. So of course we waited and eventually Ricky Martin comes out after finishing Evita for the night. Snapped a pic on my phone quickly as he is the only celebrity I have seen besides David Crosby at the next table at breakfast the morning after Crosby Still and Nash played at the Beacon Theatre. So much for casually running into Hugh Jackman!
By now TS is so busy we find it hard to walk side by side so we hold hands and hubby virtually pulls me through the crowd. Back to the hotel. A really lovely evening. We watch another episode of 48 hrs or something like that name. Reality show of police trying to catch murderers. It was always on late at night and my husband is addicted to it. It’s the only station he has watched since we have been here. What I cant get over is your television ads. They seem to all be pharmaceuticals advertising medication. What I love is the the very fast talking disclaimers at the end. I hope we don’t get those ads over here.
Our last night in New York and I don’t want to leave.
Today we are off to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum at Pier 86. We get off the subway downtown and head through Hell’s Kitchen until we hit water. All I can say is the USS Intrepid is certainly BIG.
We buy a guided tour which ends up being a private tour as no one else is waiting for one. Our guide is a little over the top but that’s better than being disinterested. He is very informative and we go all around the ship. It certainly gives an insight into the life of a sailor on board during wartime. We check out the planes on deck and as my husband turns around after taking photos of the view from on board he nearly knocks himself out on one of the wings of the plane we are near. The guide asks him how he is…… “I’m ok” he says. Then he turns to me and whispers “Is there any blood?” So while he is cursing the wing I am trying not to pee myself from laughing. (2 months after our visit we were watching a documentary on the Intrepid and suddenly he yells out ... “there is that ******* plane!!!”)
We paid the extra to see the Space Shuttle. It’s all covered in a big bubble which in all honesty looks silly on the aircraft carrier. I think the shuttle standing there in all its glory dwarfing the other planes would look better. We go in though, because we have seen them on the news so often and this would be the only chance to see one up close. I can now see the shuttle tiles that we heard about in the news bulletins. We walk up some steps to get right up near the nose. I take a quick pic of my husband standing in front of the nose but as my phone doesn’t have a flash and it’s dark in that spot all that come out is his head outline against the lighter part of the plane. It elongates his ears so it looks like an alien profile so we start saying “ET phone home”.
We climbed up to the bridge but it’s very cramped and with people in front and behind it’s not really easy to have a good look. We shuffle through. On the walk to the Intrepid we didn’t see much in the way of cafés so we grabbed a snack in the cafeteria/mess. Probably the most mediocre thing we have eaten so far.
We bypassed the submarine as the line was quite large and space limited inside. If you ever visit and the line-up isn’t big to the submarine, go then, so you aren’t waiting later. We had spent a good few hours there without realising. There wasn’t really that much time to see anything else as we are off to see Nice Work If You Can Get IT on Broadway tonight. As it is also our last night in New York I have to get all our washing up to date so we have clean clothes for Vegas leg. We walk along restaurant row (food places everywhere – if only I had realised) and catch subway back to UWS.
Spend some time washing, but as we don’t have to be at JFK till lunch time I leave packing till the morning. Have a cuppa, put our feet up then get ready for night out. We go next door for dinner as we aren’t sure where to eat in Times Square or how hard it might be to get a table and be finished eating before the show. It’s so easy to get to TS from our hotel and when we emerge from the subway we see TS at night for the first time. If we thought day time was busy, night time is nearly bedlam. We have plenty of time so no need to rush.
I didn’t know which show to see and my preference was a musical or War Horse but just before we left Australia they announced that War Horse was coming over (I bought tickets two weeks ago for the season in July in Brisbane. There are always limited performances over here so grabbed the tickets while we were there to see the Australian premiere of Driving Miss Daisy with Angela Landsbury and James Earl Jones. Absolutely wonderful by the way.) Anyway, back to Broadway. We have always enjoyed watching the old musicals so I hoped we would enjoy Nice Work. We did. Matthew Broderick was great and we had plenty of laughs. Old fashioned humour but we loved it. So glad we chose it. My husband especially loved it.
I made the mistake of going to the Ladies at interval. Talk about regimental line up. The usher took charge and took no prisoners! She had us in line and scared to move out of line. Anyone who walked in the wrong direction retreated quickly. With limited waiting room and lots of ladies she certainly moved that line in time for the second curtain. Everyone was quietly laughing to the the person on either side. We felt like school kids but it did the trick.
When we left the theatre after the show we noticed people weren’t moving much in one direction and when I had a closer look there was a police car in the middle of the road. Then I noticed a lot of men in suits, then earpieces and I leaned over to hubby and said. Secret Service. People were whispering the same thing so of course we stayed put. Heck, its not everyday Aussies see the Secret Service. We waited and waited and then one told us that we had missed the President by about 10 mins. He was already in the hotel next door. Darn it. So we walked on for about another 25 metres and there was another group of people and a barricade. So of course we waited and eventually Ricky Martin comes out after finishing Evita for the night. Snapped a pic on my phone quickly as he is the only celebrity I have seen besides David Crosby at the next table at breakfast the morning after Crosby Still and Nash played at the Beacon Theatre. So much for casually running into Hugh Jackman!
By now TS is so busy we find it hard to walk side by side so we hold hands and hubby virtually pulls me through the crowd. Back to the hotel. A really lovely evening. We watch another episode of 48 hrs or something like that name. Reality show of police trying to catch murderers. It was always on late at night and my husband is addicted to it. It’s the only station he has watched since we have been here. What I cant get over is your television ads. They seem to all be pharmaceuticals advertising medication. What I love is the the very fast talking disclaimers at the end. I hope we don’t get those ads over here.
Our last night in New York and I don’t want to leave.
Feb 26th, 2013, 03:55 AM
#18
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Great report so far, hope you keep it up from Vegas.
Those drug company adds that say "might cause blistering rash, heart attack or death" are pervasive. We all hate them and can't really think they encourage people to use the product.
Those drug company adds that say "might cause blistering rash, heart attack or death" are pervasive. We all hate them and can't really think they encourage people to use the product.
Feb 26th, 2013, 04:03 AM
#19
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We can our packing done and head off for a leisurely breakfast. Its raining quite heavily and we are so thankful we had no rain while we were discovering New York. Go back upstairs and check we have everything. Settle the Hotel bill and say goodbye to the staff who have been so friendly and helpful. We ordered a town car to get us to the airport and we have a lovely driver. We don’t envy his trip back as the traffic is at a standstill due to numerous crashes due to the heavy rain. Going to the airport the traffic is flowing well.
Drop off the bags and do the security check. I got a good deal on a flight to Las Vegas on JetBlue. Settle in a bar to wait and have a snack as there is no inflight meal and it will be at least 7pm before we get to Vegas. The plane is delayed a little but with the rain its no surprise. As we taxi out there is at least a dozen planes lined up in front of us. Its quite a sight as we would never have a lineup like that back home. When our plane swings around to take off there are at least another dozen behind us now.
The rain means I cant get one last look at Manhattan as the fog covers the city. I love New York. So much so I have to come back. There is so much I haven’t seen. Next time it will be museums, more shows. There was nothing I didn’t like about the city. The only people who weren’t friendly were the cashiers in the stores who didn’t like to give eye contact. Otherwise, people helped us with directions and they interacted with us when they knew we were Aussies. Yes, we were asked if we had kangaroos hop down our street. The funny thing is in our case its true. We live in a rural residential area so we have them come into our yard sometimes. New York was going to be for me and Las Vegas was for my husband. He loved New York as much as I did.
I know we missed out on seeing so much and some might think we should have seen a few of the museums. After a couple of days it didn’t matter to me. I knew I would do my utmost to get back for another visit and I would be just as happy to spend it walking around the streets again. As the tshirts say. I heart NY.
Drop off the bags and do the security check. I got a good deal on a flight to Las Vegas on JetBlue. Settle in a bar to wait and have a snack as there is no inflight meal and it will be at least 7pm before we get to Vegas. The plane is delayed a little but with the rain its no surprise. As we taxi out there is at least a dozen planes lined up in front of us. Its quite a sight as we would never have a lineup like that back home. When our plane swings around to take off there are at least another dozen behind us now.
The rain means I cant get one last look at Manhattan as the fog covers the city. I love New York. So much so I have to come back. There is so much I haven’t seen. Next time it will be museums, more shows. There was nothing I didn’t like about the city. The only people who weren’t friendly were the cashiers in the stores who didn’t like to give eye contact. Otherwise, people helped us with directions and they interacted with us when they knew we were Aussies. Yes, we were asked if we had kangaroos hop down our street. The funny thing is in our case its true. We live in a rural residential area so we have them come into our yard sometimes. New York was going to be for me and Las Vegas was for my husband. He loved New York as much as I did.
I know we missed out on seeing so much and some might think we should have seen a few of the museums. After a couple of days it didn’t matter to me. I knew I would do my utmost to get back for another visit and I would be just as happy to spend it walking around the streets again. As the tshirts say. I heart NY.
Feb 26th, 2013, 04:04 AM
#20
What a wonderful report! Love your details and I completely agree about walking in NYC. A day trip to DC?! Good for you and what a great attitude about fitting it in your visit. Thanks for your report so far and I look forward to reading more. 
