New York - Day 12

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Day - 1
Day - 2
Day - 3
Day - 4
Day - 5
Day - 6
Day - 7
Day - 8
Day - 9
Day - 10
Day - 11

New York - Day 12

Our alarms went off at 5am, not for an early flight or pre dawn check out. I wanted a photo with the Wall Street Bull, without a million people crowding round it! The business district is very quite on weekends like in any city but the Bull constantly had people surrounding it.

Our 5am date with the Wall Street Bull

So with just one police car for company we took it in turn for pictures and a quick rub of the Bulls balls (it’s good luck, there are defined rub marks!) before heading back to our hotel to pack. Again, I mean Mike packed, carefully rolling up our clothes, protecting our gifts and trinkets. I on the other had fallen asleep in an armchair gracefully dribbling over my left shoulder - sexy!

Once I had woken, Mike had finished packing and we had checked out; we went to lovely restaurant for brunch and New York staple! For bloody Mary’s and Eggs Benedict! 

With a couple of hours until our airport bus would arrive, we went to the Hilton Hotel bar. Mike on his laptop me reading when I fell asleep with my head in the book that was lying on the table - where a now infamous phone was taken!

A tad sleep

Our bus arrived 2 hours early so we had a lot of waiting around in the airport even resorting to playing eye spy! When we eventually were able to check our luggage in United Airlines were atrociously bad mannered and unhelpful. The check in support woman proceeded to mock our accents (and not in a cute way!) and when we asked about checking in the wheelchair she told us it wasn’t her job and that being a member of their miles club was irrelevant even if I had prebooked support before making the trip.

We had time to kill and dollars to use up, looking for a few last minute bits, when I needed to use the bathroom and whilst in there a woman actually asked me “Don’t you people have your own bathroom?” bloody cheeky mare!

When we got to our gate we spoke to a lady called Laura who said she’d see what she could do since we’d been placed at the back of the plane with no assistance or paperwork for the wheelchair.

Annoyingly Laura came back and said that there was no where else for us to be seated and proceeded to look blankly at us. So a said “So.... how am I getting to my seat?” to which she replied “I don’t know” - Helpful!

I then asked if they had the aisle wheelchairs available and the United staff were like “Oh yeah, great idea” - I wanted to bang my head against the wall at this point.

When we eventually got to our seats and got comfy, my instructions to Mike were that I would be going to sleep, I didn’t want any food, drinks or loo trips. That’s exactly what I did, I slept the whole 8 hours home. Mike didn’t, he was awake all night watching movies trying to stay on US time as we were getting home Monday Morning and he was flying straight back to work in California the following day - poor dude!

We got to Heathrow and Mike’s Mum picked us up. Arriving home we had to unpack immediately so that Mike could repack all over again, no rest for the wicked!

On Tuesday Mike had left by 6am and I sat in our living room alone, thinking “A week ago I was sailing on the Hudson and sitting on top of the Empire State Building” I couldn’t help be a tad sad!

New York is an amazing city and we had the most spectacular time. I would highly recommend visiting such a vibrant and energetic place, it is very expensive but if you plan your trip and look up deals it doesn’t have to be so pricey. If you’re a movie or TV fan it’s so much fun to see all the places from your favourites.

Despite 12 days in New York there was so much more we didn’t get to do, Mike and I have decided to return to the city for our 35^th Birthdays in 5 years for another big city adventure!

L x

P.S... I leave you with this awesome Squirl who was working his angles.....

 ....work it, my furry friend.... work it!

L x

New York - Day 11

If you have missed any of the previous New York Blog click the links below!

Day - 1

Day - 2

Day - 3

Day - 4

Day - 5

Day - 6

Day - 7

Day - 8

Day - 9

Day - 10

New York - Day 11

Day 11 - Our penultimate day in New York. After a epic 12 hour lay in we decided to leave the city and head for Brooklyn. After breakfast we made our way to City Hall and watched some street performers before trekking across Brooklyn Bridge. I loved that people left messages, locks and their twitter handles all over the walkway.

Brooklyns Locks of love

The bridges of New York are as iconic as the city it’s self. Brooklyn, Manhattan & Washington (A.k.a BMW) are very distinctive in design and my favourite was the Manhattan a majestic blue suspension bridge with three lanes, four subway tracks, a walkway and a bikeway.

We didn’t go far into Brooklyn, I have to admit I was a little worried as the streets were not busy and I had become accustomed to being constantly surrounded by the huddled safety of the other tourists, but we found it to be a lovely friendly place with really cute houses and cafe’s.  

Brooklyn Bridge

On Brooklyn’s river front there was a gorgeous carousel and beautiful seated/picnic areas where lots of kids birthday parties being held and families were flying kites. We watched several couples having their engagement and wedding photos plus there were several cute first or early dates taking place on tartan blankets with wicker baskets.

We stopped for some gelato, in between taking lots of photographs and already starting to reminisce about how great the holiday, neither of us wanting to come home!

We headed back to the city on the Manhattan Bridge; don’t expect to have a decent conversation as there trains are every few minutes, we walked mostly in silence, catching the last sunset in New York City.

Manhattan Bridge

We headed back to our hotel via a luggage shop to accommodate all books we had bought during the trip! 

City View from the Manhattan Bridge

We decided to have dinner at the Hilton Hotel restaurant; Mike had steak and I have a pear, walnut and salmon salad but made a very English mistake - ordering chips with my meal and of course a big bowl of crisps turned up - doh!

Back in our room, as much as I wanted to make the most of our last night in New York, my pain and tiredness got the better of me and we ate cookies in bed whilst watching another pay per movie - so rock and roll!

L x

New York - Day 5

In case you missed the previous New York blogs, please click the links below!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

New York - Day 5

Recovered from my steak coma (See Day 4) we got up extra early, Mike humouring me agreed that we could go get an extremely early breakfast to eat... where else? but at Tiffanys of course!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Donning a tea dress and Primark pearls, with a giant coffee and Pumpkin muffin in hand, no other tourists around and only few cars whizzing by I sat proudly outside the store having Breakfast at Tiffany’s, just like the movie, just like the beautiful and iconic Audrey Hepburn - I was very chuffed! I had to laugh when Mike came back across the road to show me the photo’s a film crew appeared with an actress dressed in a black dress, beehive and pearls for a Breakfast at Tiffanys commercial - what a sight - just for me!

As part of Day 4’s boat tour, we had heard that Sunday Mornings are the quietest time to visit the Empire State building and since we were out... earlier than most of New York, we wandered to see the grand tower.

City View

Statue of Liberty

1050ft Above the city streets and open 365 days a year The Empire State Building is a New York must see and is also included in the New York City Pass. For the past 82 years they’ve opened their doors 8am - 2am with observatories on the 82^nd and 102^nd floors where you’re able to appreciate the entire city from an amazing point of view. We also went round the 80^th floor historical exhibit where the Empire shop is also situated; were we bought ourselves a tour book and a cheesy, tacky Christmas decoration!

New York

The Chrysler Building 

Day 5, Unofficially became “The Girl day” when we headed towards the New York Public Library. I was incredibly excited. As a writer/blogger and avid book reader the NY library was top of my list of sights to see.

The building its self; white exterior, a beautiful marble foyer, a book store and exhibition centre (currently showing the History of Children literature) but I was looking for one room - The Rose reading room. I had a glance but Mike told me to look down and wait until we got to the end of the hall and then I looked back - I was in awe! This was the second time New York had left me speechless.

Looking rather chuffed!

The Rose reading room is almost the size of a football field and beautifully lined with thousands of books, with Oak desks with green glass lamps, you only need to watch Sex and the City Movie, Ghostbusters or The Day After Tomorrow to see the library on film but it’s not the same!

Unfortunately, my ego almost got me in trouble! I personally am entered into the young persons’ Who’s Who and when I found a UK Who’s Who? Annual, I grabbed the book only for the whole shelve above it to start falling! Queue some urgent whispering at Mike to help me put it back in place - cringe!

So that I didn’t cause any more trouble we left the Library and chilled in Bryant Park, where many picnics were laid out on colourful rugs and an outdoor library was being made full use of. If only we could do the same in the UK, sadly there would oly be a lot of soggy books left!

The afternoon bought us yet another landmark - Grand Central Station. One thing that struck me was, the station was a lot bigger than I imagined it would be. It’s a stunning place; the main hall is bright, sleek and absolutely packed with people 24/7. Like the New York Library photos of Grand Central Station do not do it justice. Opened in 1831 a jewel in New York’s crown was almost demolished in the 1970’s and what a waste that would have been. Mike and I followed the audio tour around the station which has 68 shops and 35 eateries. After playing in the whispering corners we found that the stations Oyster bar is closed on Sundays L so we had lunch in a little diner called Juniors.

Outside Grand Central Station

The main hall

To continue feeding our Geeky minds we found one of the Midtown comic stores (Jen & Al - you jealous?!) where Mike indulged in several vintage comics for his collection and even I got excited over the Star Trek section... yes... I’m a Treky and proud!

After the historical tour of New York we decide on Italian for dinner in Hell’s Kitchen - a place called Amarone. With a small but very well executed menu Amarone is a lovely restaurant, very popular too so make sure to plan ahead and get a reservation. I had a seafood dish which was delicious, with fresh prawns, scallops and handmade pasta - simple but amazing!

We made our way back to the hotel so that Mike could rest his poor feet, at this point he was suffering with blisters and had even worn out his socks - poor thing! I on the other hand was just getting fatter - hey ho, we were having fun!

L x

New York - Day 4

Just in case you've missed the previous New York Blogs please click below

Day One
Day Two
Day Three


New York - Day 4

Our first weekend in New York started with a walk towards the Hudson River so that Mike could see The Intrepid, a war ship and museum. On the way we stopped at what looked like a nice All American diner called Balilo on 11th Ave and West 56th  for breakfast - turned out to be a grotty little place with rude staff and bad food - these guys did not get a tip!

On 12th and West 46th Street is the mighty Intrepid Sea, Space and Air museum. It is humongous, imposing and yet majestic. There is a historical audio tour, interactive exhibitions, a space museum on the top deck and an impressive collection of jet’s, planes and helicopters - Mike was in his element!

Mike with the mighty Intrepid



The top deck and main museum floors are accessible but of course there are many sections you cannot get to in a wheelchair, Mike said that in some parts he; 6ft and strong built, had problems getting and around the ship. Despite its vast size I couldn’t fathom how 3,000 men during in World War II lived together on the Intrepid, also known as the floating city.
 

Gorgeous day at sea!

Unfortunately we didn’t have time for Mike to go into the Submarine floating next to the ship - luckily he has been on many a ship, plane and submarine so he wasn’t too bothered.

As part of our New York City Pass we were entitled to a 3hr boat tour around the entire Manhattan Island with Circleline. As I’ve mentioned I’m a History geek so a tour guided cruise around the city I was falling in love with, was, for me, exciting!

Business District





Our camera’s got a good work out but about 90 minutes into the tour a lot of the people, also on the cruise, became restless and bored, drowning out the captains historical facts, jokes and local knowledge - I was a little disappointed but the cruise was still a lot fun, we had nachos and beers, sat back and enjoyed the stunning views.

Lady Liberty

Manhattan Bridge



Day 4 Had been nicknamed “The Boy day” - boats, beer, planes, so what would finish the ultimate boy’s day?..... Steak of course! We had made reservations to go to the Westside Steak house. A twenty table restaurant, Westside was a small, dark, yet cosy place with lovely staff and an impressively stocked bar.

We’re in New York...we thought, we’re on holiday... we surmised, so let’s go for the best... we agreed, so, we decided on the Porterhouse for Two (The King of Steak!) and I have forever ruined my love of steak! As the back end of a whole cow arrived to our table, smothered in blue cheese and coupled with grilled asparagus, garlic mash and creamed spinach - I.was.in.Heaven! Dark brown yet a perfect medium cooked middle I will never look at steak on a menu ever again. If you get the chance try Westside - you will not be disappointed!

The cause of my meat coma



Feeling fat and satisfied we headed back to the hotel to chill when I actually passed out fully clothed in a steak fuelled coma - “The Boy Day” ruled.

L x  

 

New York – Day 2

In case you missed Part one of the New York Blogs please click here!

New York - Day 2

Jetlagged, we were up by 6am and having breakfast in the Hotel’s Gingers Restaurant. Deep red walls, beautiful lighting and huge photos of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers all over the place - Gingers was a lovely way to start our day!

We feasted on complementary breakfast pancakes, French toast – which by the way is heavy but very moreish - granola, sausages, bacon, fruit, yogurts, chocolate milk and strong coffee – I had decided that despite my waistline I would not deny myself a thing on this holiday!

We decided that we would start slow and have a wander around Greenwich and Soho with a few stops on the way.

Mike and I are big film fans, we own hundreds of DVD’s, we go to the cinema 4-8 times a month and spend boring moments (think - waiting for a train or bus) playing 6 degree’s of Kevin Bacon and of course New York plays the slick set to many films, TV shows and music videos . We spent a lot of time this trip taking photos and saying things like “Tom Hanks stood here” or “Carrie Bradshaw sat there!” which is why I squealed with delight when we hit Madison Avenue, any guesses why? ....Because that’s where Daryl Hannah’scharacter in Splash! chose her name! – Sad huh? ....Bothered! We loved it!

We stopped to admire one of the most iconic buildings in the city for - the Flat Iron building - smaller than I had thought but majestic and striking never the less.

The Famous Flat Iron Building 

We visited Washington Square, Madison Square Park and Union Square along the way, camera’s clicking constantly only stopping for a few minutes in each to drink, read guide books and yes you guessed it... take more photos!  

Washington Square

Greenwich and Soho are these incredibly hip, fashionable and artistic neighbourhoods with boutiques, patisseries’ and designer shops. Mike was not so enamoured with all the fashion but I loved window shopping not allowing myself inside many stores as 1.) They were designers – think Vera Wang and Prada and 2.) The majority shops were inaccessible – but it saved my bank balance and the weather was gorgeous the walk, or journey in my case, warmed up my poorly legs beautifully!

Still so full from out mammoth breakfast we stopped at the Magnoila Bakery for an afternoon cupcake treat and since Carrie and Maranda ate cake’s there, in an episode of Sex and the City – it would have been rude not to! 

Afternoon Treat

After our sugary refuel we headed for the Highline. TheHighline is a length of elevated train tracks that were due for demolition when a trust and committee of New Yorkers saved it and turned it into a city haven. The only way I can describe it is as a long thin Central Park with art, street performers, ice cream stalls, wonderful planted areas next to built in sun loungers and seats - Tip of the day do not start from the middle. Find the end and just keep walking until there is no more track – you’ll be cheating yourself out of a lovely experience otherwise.



A Glimpse of The Highline

 

I’m not really a fashion follower, I appreciate quality but I wear what I feel best in and I hadn’t realised that as we arrive in New York the city was preparing for NY fashion week so we spotted many stunning Amazonian girls clutching their portfolios.

Because of our early wake up and full day we were very tired by dinner time but pootled over to Planet Hollywood, I’d never been to one before and Mike was looking forward to a humongous burger of some sort. I made the mistake of plumping for starters and when they came out I vowed no more starters in America because they were huge! I had a massive plate of nachos as did Mike but he also had chilli on top. For my main I had a lasagne rolled meal and Mike the burger he craved, his was lovely mine was awful, so I just ate the other half of my starter instead!

We headed back to the hotel via yet more photos of Time Square – no photos or descriptions can do it any justice, and I was in bed by 10 – passed out like a toddler after playschool!

L x

New York – Getting there!

As some (or all!) of you know Mike and I went to New York City last month. I’ve been home a fortnight but haven’t wanted to write these blogs as I had serious post holiday blues, and since Mike had gone back to the States less than 24hrs after we’d returned home, I was really missing him!

Still I’m back to my chirpy self and ready to relive the holiday of my dreams for you guys!

New York – Getting there!

On September 3^rd I could have charged the National Grid with the excitement I was feeling! After mountains of washing, to do lists ticked and loose ends tied, we finally packed! I planned on being fun and fabulous with colourful tea and maxi dresses, classy silk blouses and some pretty costume jewellery, so I packed about 20 outfits for the 12 day trip, there would have been more but all my medication took up a lot of precious room, I supposed that to be fabulous I had to be well medicated too!

Late afternoon after checking, rechecking then a last minute spot check of all windows, doors, plugs and check lists our friend Jo arrived to take us to our pre flight hotel in Heathrow.

After several wrong turns (whilst using a SAT Nav – it’s a skill I tell you!) we made it to the Ibis Heathrow Hotel. Our room was lovely and clean, accessible, with modern decor and a very comfy bed. We ordered pizza’s and hot chocolates for dinner and sat watching the Dave channel all evening, my mind was elsewhere as every time I thought of New York my stomach flipped and fluttered with excitement.

The next morning I did not mind the 4:45am alarm at all! As the sun was still coming up we rode a shuttle bus to the airport. Since Mike is a member of the Kris Flyer rewards scheme with his work he is now a top member which meant checking in was queue and stress free.

We went to the airport lounge (I was a lot less nervous this time - click here!) and took advantage of their free breakfast buffet of pastries’, pancakes, hot items and fruit all washed down with plenty of strong coffee!

We were flying with United Airlines and I had pre booked assistant so we had bulkhead seats, but the crew were not very helpful; seeing me struggle as Mike did the handover of my wheelchair, they didn’t say Hello, just waved me in the direction of my seat without an arm to hold on to or help with my bag. Anyway the flight went well and we got chatting to a Princeton University Astrologist Professor who was fascinated by Mike’s work and our jam packed plans.

Finally we arrived! I was jittery and grinning like a mad woman, coming through customs, when the officer checking our passports stamped mine but said that he wasn’t sure Mike was allowed in! We had a trip to the custom’s interview hall, and in my head I was panicking – full blown red alert and siren!!!

Luckily it was a small issue with Mike’s work visa and we resided to the fact that although that was not the beginning we wanted - things can only get better!

We took a shuttle bus from Newark Airport and.there.it.was in the distance I could see the city, my teenage dream was coming true!

Minutes later we were dropped in Time Square! I was completely speechless (even if you don’t know me in person, you know that never happens!) in broad daylight it is a sight and half, so many people, loud city noises, sirens and horns, ticket touts and music blaring from a Samsung pop up shop – it was nuts!

Overwhelmed in Time Square



We checked into The Double Tree Hilton Hotel, where, with our keys, we were given giant warm chocolate chip cookies – God Bless America indeed!!

Our room had a huge accessible bathroom, living room with mini kitchen and a large comfy bed. Eight stories up, we over looked Time Square and at night even with all our lights off the room was perfectly lit up from all the signs!

Not wanting to waste any time we went straight out to explore Time Square it was crazy busy and our first stop was Toy’s r Us where there was an actual full size Ferris wheel in middle!

 

Toys r Us Ferris Wheel



We headed into a Brassiere called TSQ for our first dinner where the small plates were frickin’ huge! I had my first of many cocktails and because of the early start and jetlag setting in it went straight to my head – lucky I don’t walk really! 

First drink of the holiday



 

On the way back to our hotel via lots more photo’s and whilst my mouth swapped between gaping fly trap and Cheshire cat grin we were stopped by one of the many ticket tout’s.  

My NYC tip of the day is to avoid the buggers! They act all charming, funny and personable but they are pushy, persistent, aggravating little toads! Even if they say they’re from a famous show or comedy club say No and believe me you’ll have to say it a hundred times, but go home look up clubs on trusted websites like Trip Advisor to find the real deals!

Exhausted by 9pm we were asleep with our blackout blinds firmly closed, as I drifted off I had James Browns - Living in America playing in my head – cheesy yet totally appropriate!!

L x